| Title | Seismic Evidence for a Deep Heat Source Associated with the Coso Geothermal Area, California |
|---|---|
| Authors | Combs, Jim; Jarzabek, Dave |
| Year | 1977 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Exploration; Fumaroles; K-Ar; P Wave; Refraction; S Wave; Seismic; Coso Range California; USA |
| Abstract | Analysis of both complexional (P) and shear (S) waves from a recent large mine blast indicate seismic anomalies associated with the Coso Geothermal Area in California. Five, short period, high gain, three component and three, single component, magnetic tape recording seismographs were deployed in a fan configuration 100km from the mine blast of October 26, 1976 located 36.09.40'N and 117.24.50'W. Relative Pwave delays were observed on ray paths which passed south of the surface manifestations and a zone of high heat flow associated with the Coso Geothermal Area. The P delays and the strong attenuation of the higher frequency P an dS waves infer the existence of an extensive body o flow velocity materials at depth in the area north of Airport Lake and southeast of Volcano Peak, the youngest volcanics in the are with a K-Ar age of about 0.04 m.y. These travel time delays and seismic attenuation suggest the possibly of a deep magma chamber which has provided the most recent basaltic and rhyolitic rocks and continues to function as a heat source for the Coso geothermal system. |