Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Science & Technology: New Research Suggests Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field is a Fossil System

Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field (Baja California, Mexico) – A fossil system? Insights from a noble gas study (Science Direct)

  • Extensive noble gas survey was carried out in the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field.
  • 3He/4He indicates magmatic and old sedimentary fluids, with little recharge.
  • Cl, Br, and U-Th/He fluid ages suggest that old fluids are connate seawater.
  • Stable isotopes and halogens indicate a third old groundwater from shallower aquifers.
  • Active modern recharge is limited, indicating Cerro Prieto is a fossil geothermal system.
Daniele L. Pinti, et al. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2018.12.010