| Title | Regional Heat Flow and the Geothermal Character of the Snake River Plain, Idaho |
|---|---|
| Authors | Brott, Charles A.; Blackwell, David D.; Mitchell, John C. |
| Year | 1977 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Exploration; Heat flow; Snake River Plain; Idaho; USA |
| Abstract | A regional heat flow study shows high heat flow (2.5HFU or higher) on the margin while lower heat flow (1.7HFU) is found in the western Snake River Plain (SRP). The distribution of the heat flow is interpreted to be related to the combined effects of crustal heat flow refraction and a large crustal magmatic heat source. A time progressive regional model in which the emplacement of heat source corresponds to the ages of the esilicic volcanics in the SRP is presented. The model predicts high heat flow (2.5-3+HFU) over all of the eastern third of the SRP. Confirmation of high regional heat flow in the eastern SRP will require deep wells because of regional water movement in the Snake Plain Aquifer. However, a close correlation of predicted heat flow and observed elevation changes along the axis of the SRP strongly supports the model. The possibility of high heat flow combined with the abundant recent volcanism implies that the eastern SRP has significant geothermal potential inspite of the low surface heat flow and lack of thermal manifestations. |