--> Abstract: Hydrogeology of Saline Springs Along the Southeastern Margin of the San Juan Basin, Northwestern New Mexico, by S. D. Craigg; #90993 (1993).

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CRAIGG, STEVEN D., U.S. Geological Survey, Helena, MT

ABSTRACT: Hydrogeology of Saline Springs Along the Southeastern Margin of the San Juan Basin, Northwestern New Mexico

A system of saline springs and associated large-scale, cratered travertine mounds is present in the Arroyo Penasco drainage, southeastern San Juan basin. This spring system trends north-northeast along the western flank of the Sierra Nacimiento. Distribution of these springs probably is controlled by the position of the Pajarito fault.

Southeast-flowing, confined, saline groundwater originating from deep geologic units in the San Juan basin probably is blocked and redirected upward along the fracture zone created by the Pajarito fault. This upward-migrating groundwater eventually discharges at land surface on the outcrop of the Triassic Chinle Formation. Discharge of water to Arroyo Penasco, an intermittent stream, is a relatively constant 0.3 to 0.5 cu ft /s.

Although the Pennsylvanian Madera Limestone may be the principal source of water for the saline springs, overlying Permian rocks probably also contribute smaller quantities of water. Concentrations of dissolved solids contributed by Permian units, however, may be significant.

Specific conductance of the spring water ranges from about 9,000 to 16,000 mS/cm at 25 degrees C. Water temperature ranges from 19 to 27 degrees C. Although the springs cannot strictly be classified as hot, water from a nearby flowing well, which is completed in the Madera Limestone and overlying Permian rocks, has a temperature of 52 degrees C. This relation suggests that the water from the saline springs loses heat to adjacent rocks by thermal conduction as it migrates upward to land surface.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90993©1993 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 12-15, 1993.