j. louie, unr 7/27/2005 project title: assembling crustal geophysical data for geothermal...
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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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Regional Geothermal Regional Geothermal AssessmentAssessment
1990 Geophysical Frameworkgrids
Moho DepthMoho Depth
PgPg
PnPn
Poor Detailin No. NevadaPoor Detailin No. Nevada
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Geothermal Index Geothermal Index from crustal properties from crustal properties
of 1990of 1990
Diamond size from kilowatts produced
IndexIndex
Gradient of Gradient of indexindex
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Lack of Post-60’s Refraction CoverageLack of Post-60’s Refraction Coverage
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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.
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Complete Compilation of GB Crustal ThicknessesComplete Compilation of GB Crustal Thicknesses
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Results 2.Results 2.
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
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
21 “Texans” from Refraction Technology, Inc.21 “Texans” from Refraction Technology, Inc.
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Results 3.Results 3.
1.1. Compile existing crustal informationCompile existing crustal information
2.2. Establish a facility for long-range crustal Establish a facility for long-range crustal surveyssurveys
3.3. DevelopDevelop new regional seismic-refraction 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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
200 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE200 “Texans” from PASSCAL and DOE/GBCGE
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Data & Synthetics Reduced by 7.4 km/sData & Synthetics Reduced by 7.4 km/s
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
May 21 M1.6 Earthquake Near BridgeportMay 21 M1.6 Earthquake Near Bridgeport
Small 1st arrival clear at 100s of km
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Results 4.Results 4.
1.1. Compile existing crustal informationCompile 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. CollectCollect three new crustal refraction profiles 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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002The N. Walker Lane Experiment, 2002
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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.
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Idaho-Nevada-California (INC), 2004Idaho-Nevada-California (INC), 2004
Fresno
Long Valley
Au
gu
st 2
004
Las Vegas
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Aug. 2004 INC RecordingAug. 2004 INC Recording
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Aug. 2004 INC Recording - Aug. 2004 INC Recording - 500-km distances500-km distances
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Spanning the RegionSpanning the Region
5/025/02
8/048/04
8/058/05
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Results 5.Results 5.
1.1. Compile existing crustal informationCompile 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. 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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
Compilation of Selected Crustal ThicknessesCompilation of Selected Crustal Thicknesses
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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
J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005J. Louie, UNR 7/27/2005
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