Micro-Earthquake At Waunita Hot Springs Geothermal Area (Lange, 1981)

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

=====

Exploration Activity: Micro-Earthquake At Waunita Hot Springs Geothermal Area (Lange, 1981)

Exploration Activity Details
Location	Waunita Hot Springs Geothermal Area
Exploration Technique	Micro-Earthquake
Activity Date	1971 - 1972
Usefulness	useful
DOE-funding	Unknown

Exploration Basis

The aim of the ground noise and micro-earthquake surveys was to assess the extent of active fault failure and the potential importance of fracture permeability in the subsurface surrounding the hot springs.

Notes

The first documented geophysical exploration work near Waunita Hot Springs was two groundnoise and microearthquake surveys, conducted in December 1971 and February 1972 by Senturion Sciences. One major groundnoise anomaly of 56 dB at a predominant frequency of 1 Hz was identified approximately 3,000 m NE of Waunita Hot Springs, which was attributed by Senturion Sciences to faulted, altered Paleozoic sediments. However, the data acquired are somewhat questionable as no base station was used to account for daily or longer term variations in background noise . Additionally, a relatively large number of microearthquakes were detected in the near vicinity of the hot springs, providing strong evidence for fracture permeability playing a prominent role in conducting geothermal fluids. Senturion Sciences interpreted the results of the microearthquake surveys as indicative of a radial fault system centered on Tomichi Dome

References

• A. L. Lange (1981) The Geophysical Environment Around Waunita Hot Springs