Rapid transport pathways for geothermal fluids in an active Great Basin fault zone

Research Article| September 01, 2004 Rapid transport pathways for geothermal fluids in an active Great Basin fault zone Jerry P. Fairley; Jerry P. Fairley 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3022, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jennifer J. Hinds Jennifer J. Hinds 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3022, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2004) 32 (9): 825–828. https://doi.org/10.1130/G20617.1 Article history received: 26 Feb 2004 rev-recd: 11 May 2004 accepted: 17 May 2004 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jerry P. Fairley, Jennifer J. Hinds; Rapid transport pathways for geothermal fluids in an active Great Basin fault zone. Geology 2004;; 32 (9): 825–828. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G20617.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We present an analysis of fault hydraulic architecture, based on >700 spatially distributed ground and geothermal spring temperature measurements taken in an active fault zone. Geostatistical simulations were used to extrapolate the measured data over an 800 × 100 m area and develop a high-resolution image of temperatures in the fault. On the basis of the modeled temperatures, a simple analytical model of convective heat transport was used to infer a probability distribution function for hydraulic conductivities in a two-dimensional plane parallel to the land surface, and the partitioning of flow between flow paths of different conductivities was calculated as a fraction of the total flux. The analysis demonstrates the existence of spatially discrete, high-permeability flow paths within the predominantly lower-permeability fault materials. Although the existence of fast-flow paths in faults has been hypothesized for >10 yr, their prevalence and contribution to the total flow of fluid in a fault zone are debated. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that the flux transmitted by an individual fast-flow path is significantly greater than that of an average flow path, but the total flux transported in fast-flow paths is a negligible fraction of the total flux transmitted by the fault. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.