scholarly journals Geophysical Imaging of Yellowstone’s Hydrothermal Plumbing System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Finn ◽  
Paul A. Bedrosian ◽  
W. Holbrook ◽  
Esben Auken ◽  
Benjamin Bloss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Plumbing System ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Thermal Fluids ◽  
Geochemical Variations ◽  
Thermal Features ◽  
Geophysical Imaging ◽  
Buried Faults

Abstract Yellowstone National Park’s plumbing system linking deep thermal fluids to legendary thermal features is virtually unknown. Prevailing concepts of Yellowstone’s hydrology and chemistry are that fluids flow laterally from distal sources and emerge at the edges of lava flows and that spring chemistry reflects varying fluid source regions1,2. Here we present the first view of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal system derived from electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility models of airborne geophysical data3,4. Groundwater and thermal fluids containing total dissolved solids or low pH significantly reduce resistivities of porous volcanic rocks5. Low susceptibility clay sequences mapped in thermal areas6,7 and boreholes8 typically form over fault-controlled thermal fluid and/or gas conduits9-12. We show that most thermal features are located above high-flux conduits along buried faults and flow paths are similar irrespective of spring chemistry. Lateral outflow from the conduits mixes with upflow and groundwater at shallow levels in the thermal basins. Similarities between our models and those from the Taupo Volcanic Zone highlight the implication of our work beyond Yellowstone and suggest that hydrothermal systems worldwide are vertically-driven and surface geochemical variations are controlled at depth by mixing of local and distal thermal fluids and groundwater and more locally, by shallow permeability.

scholarly journals Field-Based Tests of Geochemical Modeling Codes: New Zealand Hydrothermal Systems

1993 ◽  
Vol 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol J. Bruton ◽  
William E. Glassley ◽  
William L. Bourcier
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Kinetic Data ◽  
Geochemical Modeling ◽  
Geothermal Field ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Modeling Code

ABSTRACTHydrothermal systems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand are being used as field-based modeling exercises for the EQ3/6 geochemical modeling code package. Comparisons of the observed state and evolution of the hydrothermal systems with predictions of fluid-solid equilibria made using geochemical modeling codes will determine how the codes can be used to predict the chemical and mineralogical response of the environment to nuclear waste emplacement. Field-based exercises allow us to test the models on time scales unattainable in the laboratory.Preliminary predictions of mineral assemblages in equilibrium with fluids sampled from wells in the Wairakei and Kawerau geothermal field suggest that affinity-temperature diagrams must be used in conjunction with EQ6 to minimize the effect of uncertainties in thermodynamic and kinetic data on code predictions.

FAVORABLE STRUCTURAL SETTINGS FOR POTENTIAL GEOTHERMAL UPWELLINGS IN THE CENTRAL TAUPO VOLCANIC ZONE, NEW ZEALAND

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie E. Wigger ◽  
◽  
James E. Faulds ◽  
Samuel J. Hampton ◽  
Josh W. Borella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Volcanic Zone

scholarly journals Analysis of Hydrothermal Systems Beneath Tayukeng through Long-Term Geochemical Signals of Hydrothermal Fluids in Tatun Volcano Group, Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7411
Author(s):  
Hsin-Fu Yeh ◽  
Hung-Hsiang Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Hydrothermal System ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluid ◽  
Thermal Water ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Geochemical Variations ◽  
Northern Taiwan

The Tatun Volcano Group (TVG) is located in northern Taiwan and consists of many springs and fumaroles. The Tayukeng (TYK) area is the most active fumarole site in the TVG. In this study, we analyzed the long-term geochemical variations of hydrothermal fluids and proposed a mechanism responsible for the variation in TYK. There are two different aquifers beneath the TYK area: a shallow SO42−-rich aquifer and a deeper aquifer rich in Cl−. TYK thermal water was mainly supplied by the shallow SO42−-rich aquifer; therefore, the thermal water showed high SO42− concentrations. After 2015, the inflow of deep thermal water increased, causing the Cl− concentrations of the TYK to increase. Notably, the inferred reservoir temperatures based on quartz geothermometry increased; however, the surface temperature of the spring decreased. We inferred that the enthalpy was lost during transportation to the surface. Therefore, the surface temperature of the spring does not increase with an increased inflow of deep hydrothermal fluid. The results can serve as a reference for understanding the complex evolution of the magma-hydrothermal system in the TVG.

scholarly journals Physical property relationships of the Rotokawa Andesite, a significant geothermal reservoir rock in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Siratovich ◽  
Michael J Heap ◽  
Marlène C Villenueve ◽  
James W Cole ◽  
Thierry Reuschlé
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Geothermal Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Volcanic Zone

Testing Long-Term Predictions from Hydro-Geochemical Models

1993 ◽  
Vol 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Glassley ◽  
Carol J. Bruton ◽  
William L. Bourcier
Keyword(s):  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Thermally Induced ◽  
Induced Flow ◽  
Geochemical Models ◽  
Kinetics And Thermodynamic

ABSTRACTThermally induced flow of liquid water and water vapor at the potential repository site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, will extend hundreds of meters away from the repository edge. The resultant transfer of heat and mass will sufficiently perturb the ambient conditions such that a variety of mineralogical and chemical reactions will occur that may modify hydrological properties. The consequences of this “coupling” of geochemical and hydrological processes will vary through time, and will occur to different degrees in four regimes (T < Tboiling; T = Tboiling; T > T boiling; cooling) that will develop within the repository block. The dominant processes in the regimes differ, and reflect the local balance between: 1) kinetics and equilibrium; 2) dissolution and precipitation; 3) evaporation and boiling; and 4) fluid flow in matrix and fractures. Simulations were conducted of the evolution of these regimes, using laboratory derived kinetics and thermodynamic data, and site specific mineralogical and hydrological properties. These simulations identify regions where chemical and mineralogical equilibrium is likely to be achieved, and where net changes in hydrological properties will be concentrated. Tests of the results of these simulations have been initiated using field data from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. A preliminary series of calculations suggest that relative changes in porosity of as much as ± 20% to 30% may be possible for rocks with an initial porosity of 10%.

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