Reflection Survey At Coso Geothermal Area (2008)

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

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Exploration Activity: Reflection Survey At Coso Geothermal Area (2008)

Exploration Activity Details
Location	Coso Geothermal Area
Exploration Technique	Reflection Survey
Activity Date	2008
Usefulness	not indicated
DOE-funding	Unknown

 

Exploration Basis

A reflection survey was done to analyze the brittle upper plate structure revealed by reflection seismic data

 

Notes

The relationships between upper crustal faults, the brittle-ductile transition zone, and underlying magmatic features imaged by multifold seismic reflection data are consistent with the hypothesis that the Coso geothermal field, which lies within an extensional step-over between dextral faults, is a young, actively developing metamorphic core complex. The reflection images were processed using a non-linear simulated annealing approach to invert P-wave first arrivals in the seismic data for 2-D velocity structure. The combination of magmatic heat and active normal faulting in the regional transtensional setting establishes the conditions for hydrothermal convection in the Coso geothermal field.

 

References

• Unruh, J.R.; Monastero, F.C.; Pullammanappallil, S.K.   (1 March 2008) The nascent Coso metamorphic core complex, east-central California, brittle upper plate structure revealed by reflection seismic data