Geothermal Alteration of Basalt of the Snake River Plain, Idaho

Chris J. Sant and John W. Shervais
Utah State University, Logan, UT

This project analyzes basaltic core from the Snake River Plain (SRP) of Idaho. The objectives of this project are to establish zones of geothermal alteration and analyze the potential for geothermal power production using sub-aquifer resources on the axial volcanic zone of the SRP. Alteration zones were established using three methods; 1) temperature log data, 2) physical characteristics of the core, and 3) X-ray diffraction analyses of smectite clay alteration in the core. Analyses from 1,912 meters of core suggest that there are two alteration zones with the boundary at 960 m depth, also being the base of the SRP aquifer. Geothermal power generation may be feasible using a low temperature hot water geothermal system if thermal fluids can be attained near the bottom of the Kimama well.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90181©2013 AAPG/SEG Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, September 27-30, 2013