| Title | Geological Interpretation of Self-Potential Data from the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field |
|---|---|
| Authors | Robert F. Corwin, David V. Fitterman |
| Year | 1979 |
| Conference | DOE-CFE Symposium on Cerro Prieto |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | A source mechanism based on concepts of irreversible thermodynamics and consisting of heat or fluid flow along a north-south trending zone of faulting is proposed for the self-potential anomaly measured over the Cerro Prieto geothermal reservoir. The source region is represented by a vertical plane of that separates regions of differing streaming potential or thermoelectric coupling coefficients. The coupling coefficient contrast could be caused by vertical offset of rock units along faults. The depth to the top of the source plane is about 1.3 km, its vertical extent is about 11 km, and its length along strike is about 10 km. Geologial, geophysical, and mineralogical evidence support the existence of an important north-south geological trend roughly corresponding in location to the proposed self-potential source plane. Se propone un mecanisme fuente que se base en conceptos de termodinamica irreversible y que consista en un flujo de fluido o calor a lo largo de una zona de fallas con direccion aproximada N-S, para la anomal fa de potencial espontaneo medida sobre el yacimiento geotermico de Cerro Prieto. Un plano vertical que separa las regiones de distinto potencial electrodinamico o distintos coeficientes de acoplamiento termoelectrico representa la region fuente. El desplazamiento vertical de unidades litologicas a lo largo de las fallas puede causar el contraste en el coeficiente de acoplamiento. La profundidad hasta la parte superior del plano fuente es de aproximadamente 1.3 km, su extension vertical de 11 km y su longitud a lo largo del rumbo de 10 km. Hay evidencia geologica, geofisica y mineral6gica que sugiere la existencia de un importante rasgo geol6gico en direccion N-S cuya ubicacion corresponde aproximadamente al plano fuente propuesto para el potencial espontaneo. |