Record Details

Title Geologic Model of the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field
Authors A. de la Pena L., I. Puente C., E. Diaz C.
Year 1979
Conference DOE-CFE Symposium on Cerro Prieto
Keywords
Abstract Con base en diversos estudios recientes de geologia, geofisica, geoquimica, petrografia y de la informacion que se obtuvo de los pozos construidos a la fecha, se realizaron modificaciones no sustanciales al modelo geologico que se presento en el ler. Simposio geotermico efectuado en la ciudad de San Diego, California.
Basicamente, se trabaja aun con el mismo modelo, constituido principal mente por 3 unidades litoestratigraficas; (U-A) sedimentos no consolidados, (U-B) sedimentos consolidados y metamorfizados, y la (U-C) que representa el basamento granitico y/o metamorfico. Dos sistemas de fallas principales dislocan dichas unidades; estos se conocen con el nombre de Cerro Prieto, de rumbo NO-SE, y Volcano de rumbo NE-SO.
Las modificaciones y adiciones que se hicieron al modelo original y que se presentan en este trabajo, se relacionan esencialmente con el comportamiento de dichas unidades, asi como con su formacion original, con cretamente con los procesos geoquimicohidrotermicos ocurridos en ellos; Ademas, se hace mencion de una posible extension de la zona al NE de la actual en explotacion, lo que se fundamenta, principal mente, en el mecanisme tectonico de las fallas transformadas que afectan a esta porcion de la Peninsula de Baja California.

Based on several recent geological, geophysical, geochemical and petrographical studies, and information obtained from the wells completed to date, slight modifications were made to the geologic model presented during the First Symposium held in San Diego, California.
Basically, we have used the same model showing three lithostratigraphic units: Unit A, formed by unconsolidated sediments; Unit B, consisting of consolidated and metamorphosed sediments; and Unit C which corresponds to the granitic and/or metamorphic basement. These units are broken up by two main fault systems: the Cerro Prieto system striking northwest-southeast, and the Volcano system trending northeast-southwest.
Discussed here are the changes and additions made to the original model. These essentially focus on the origin of the different lithostratigraphic units, as well as their alteration due to geochemical (hydrothermal) processes. Also, based on the tectonic mechanism of the transform faults of this part of the Baja California Peninsula, a possible extension of the present zone of production towards the northeast is discussed.
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