J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005 Project Title: Assembling Crustal Geophysical Data for Geothermal...

J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005

Project Title: Assembling Crustal Geophysical Data for Geothermal Exploration in the Great Basin

CPS Identifier: 12339Principal Investigator: John N. Louie

Sponsoring Organization: University of Nevada, Reno

www.seismo.unr.edu/geothermal

Project Title: Assembling Crustal Geophysical Data for Geothermal Exploration in the Great Basin

CPS Identifier: 12339Principal Investigator: John N. Louie

Sponsoring Organization: University of Nevada, Reno

www.seismo.unr.edu/geothermal

U.S. Department of EnergyGeothermal Technologies Program

Exploration Exploration Peer Review Report


Project PurposeProject Purpose

Assemble 3-d reference model of seismic Assemble 3-d reference model of seismic

velocity for the western Great Basinvelocity for the western Great Basin Understand deep heat sourcesUnderstand deep heat sources

Can crustal thickness be a resource Can crustal thickness be a resource

indicator?indicator?

Improve regional models of resource geologyImprove regional models of resource geology

Assist USGS national geothermal assessmentAssist USGS national geothermal assessment


Regional Geothermal Regional Geothermal AssessmentAssessment

1990 Geophysical Frameworkgrids

Moho DepthMoho Depth

PgPg

PnPn

Poor Detailin No. NevadaPoor Detailin No. Nevada


Geothermal Index Geothermal Index from crustal properties from crustal properties

of 1990of 1990

Diamond size from kilowatts produced

IndexIndex

Gradient of Gradient of indexindex


Lack of Post-60’s Refraction CoverageLack of Post-60’s Refraction Coverage


Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

3-d reference model of seismic velocity for the western 3-d reference model of seismic velocity for the western

Great BasinGreat Basin ““Contribute critical data toward the effective exploration for new Contribute critical data toward the effective exploration for new

geothermal resources”geothermal resources”

Fill in poorly characterized areasFill in poorly characterized areas

Develop a community model contributed to regional assessment Develop a community model contributed to regional assessment

activitiesactivities

Evaluate geophysical indicators of geothermal resourcesEvaluate geophysical indicators of geothermal resources

Build academic infrastructure and technical workforce in Build academic infrastructure and technical workforce in

geothermal science and technologygeothermal science and technology


FundingFundingFiscal Year DOE Funding ($k) Cost Share ($k) Total

02 $144,584 $0 $144,584

03 $74,833 $0 $74,833

04 $83,251 $15,221 $98,472

05 $38,613 $7,723 $46,336

06 $42,598 $8,520 $51,118

DOE funding to the University of Nevada, Reno has been delayed approximately one year for this project. FY 05 funding has not yet been received.


Plans and ApproachPlans and Approach

Five Tasks:Five Tasks:1.1. CompileCompile existing crustal information existing crustal information2.2. EstablishEstablish a facility for long-range crustal a facility for long-range crustal

surveyssurveys3.3. DevelopDevelop new regional seismic-refraction new regional seismic-refraction

technologytechnology4.4. CollectCollect three new crustal refraction profiles three new crustal refraction profiles 5.5. IntegrateIntegrate new and prior results; create a new and prior results; create a

regional crustal model; make model available regional crustal model; make model available to othersto others


Selected MilestonesSelected Milestones1.1 Completed initial assembly of pre-existing data and prelim. model 9/30/02

2.1 Established new refraction facility at UNR 7/31/02

3.1 Developed and tested cost-effective crustal surveying technology 4/29/05

4.2 Published No. Walker Lane transect results in technical journal 12/15/04

4.3 Collected Idaho-Nevada-Calif. (INC) seismic refraction transect 8/30/04

4.6 Collect Nevada-Utah seismic refraction transect 8/30/05

5.2 Reported refined model and geothermal correlations at Nevada Geothermal Conference

11/5/04

5.3 Released 1st web-portal pack for supercomputer rendering of model 4/29/05

5.5 Complete gathering of industry feedback on model 9/30/06

5.6 Publish crustal model, deliver on web, to assessment collaborators 9/30/07


Results 1.Results 1.

1.1. CompileCompile existing crustal information existing crustal information

2.2. Establish a facility for long-range crustal Establish a facility for long-range crustal surveyssurveys

3.3. Develop new regional seismic-refraction Develop new regional seismic-refraction technologytechnology

4.4. Collect three new crustal refraction profiles Collect three new crustal refraction profiles

5.5. Integrate new and prior results; create a Integrate new and prior results; create a regional crustal model; make model available regional crustal model; make model available to othersto others


Complete Compilation of GB Crustal ThicknessesComplete Compilation of GB Crustal Thicknesses



1.1. Compile existing crustal informationCompile existing crustal information

2.2. EstablishEstablish a facility for long-range crustal a facility for long-range crustal surveyssurveys





21 “Texans” from Refraction Technology, Inc.21 “Texans” from Refraction Technology, Inc.





3.3. DevelopDevelop new regional seismic-refraction new regional seismic-refraction technologytechnology




40-ft Benches40-ft Benches>400 m deep>400 m deep

Blast CBlast C

3 km wide3 km wide

80,000 lbs80,000 lbsANFOANFO

Anatomy of a Nevada Gold MineAnatomy of a Nevada Gold MineDaily seismic sources of opportunityDaily seismic sources of opportunity


200 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE200 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE


The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002


Data & Synthetics Reduced by 7.4 km/sData & Synthetics Reduced by 7.4 km/s


May 21 M1.6 Earthquake Near BridgeportMay 21 M1.6 Earthquake Near Bridgeport

Small 1st arrival clear at 100s of km






4.4. CollectCollect three new crustal refraction profiles three new crustal refraction profiles



The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002


How Thick is the Crust?How Thick is the Crust?

?

?Horizontal Rays

Refraction“Tunneling”

7.2 km/s Moho

Journal Publication: Louie, J. N., W. Thelen, S. B. Smith, J. B. Scott, M. Clark, and S. Pullammanappallil, 2004, The northern Walker Lane refraction experiment: Pn arrivals and the northern Sierra Nevada root: Tectonophysics, 388, 253-269.


Idaho-Nevada-California (INC), 2004Idaho-Nevada-California (INC), 2004

Fresno

Long Valley

Au

gu

st 2

004

Las Vegas


400 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE400 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE

UNR’s 21-Texan FacilityUNR’s 21-Texan Facility Round Mtn. MineRound Mtn. Mine

Programming RecordersProgramming Recorders

Downloading DataDownloading Data


Aug. 2004 INC RecordingAug. 2004 INC Recording


Aug. 2004 INC Recording - Aug. 2004 INC Recording - 500-km distances500-km distances


Spanning the RegionSpanning the Region

5/025/02

8/048/04

8/058/05







5.5. IntegrateIntegrate new and prior results; create a new and prior results; create a regional crustal model; make model available regional crustal model; make model available to othersto others


Colors = crustal thickness, warmer = thinner (includes new data IDW, nn, po = 5)Circles with dots = new seismic dataNumbered labels = difference between new and old data in kilometersBuffer around new data = radius 100 km where old data removed for interpolation

Purple circles = ExtensionalWhite squares = Magmatic

Extensional-type geothermal systems correlate with areas of thin crust while magmatic systems correlate with areas of thicker crust

Considering Considering New Crustal New Crustal ThicknessesThicknesses- M. Coolbaugh- M. Coolbaugh

Considering Considering New Crustal New Crustal ThicknessesThicknesses- M. Coolbaugh- M. Coolbaugh


Compilation of Selected Crustal ThicknessesCompilation of Selected Crustal Thicknesses


Impact of Work/MeritImpact of Work/Merit

New technology for national/regional assessmentsNew technology for national/regional assessments Progress toward improving success rate for finding resources Progress toward improving success rate for finding resources

at undrilled sites to 40%at undrilled sites to 40%

Thin crust helps locate Buffalo Valley prospectThin crust helps locate Buffalo Valley prospect Technology transfer:Technology transfer:

Websites, Journal paper, 2 GRC papers, SEG paper, Websites, Journal paper, 2 GRC papers, SEG paper, International conference, 7 other US workshopsInternational conference, 7 other US workshops

Collaborators: IRIS/PASSCAL, Optim Inc., LLNL, GBCGECollaborators: IRIS/PASSCAL, Optim Inc., LLNL, GBCGE

Workforce development:Workforce development: 20 student field hands, 8 student co-authors, senior thesis, 2 20 student field hands, 8 student co-authors, senior thesis, 2

MS theses, PhD thesisMS theses, PhD thesis


Plans for CompletionPlans for Completion

Final 2 project years have reduced fundsFinal 2 project years have reduced funds

Publish INC resultsPublish INC results

Collect Utah transect 8/05, report results, publishCollect Utah transect 8/05, report results, publish

Integrate new results into Great Basin modelIntegrate new results into Great Basin model

Gather industry feedback on regional modelGather industry feedback on regional model

Publish and deliver model to collaborators and groups Publish and deliver model to collaborators and groups

doing regional assessmentdoing regional assessment

Heimgartner graduates with MS degree by 9/07Heimgartner graduates with MS degree by 9/07

J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005 Project Title: Assembling Crustal Geophysical Data for Geothermal...

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