The Geothermal System Near Paisley Oregon: a Tectonomagmatic Framework for Understanding the Geothermal Resource Potential of S
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THE GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM NEAR PAISLEY, OREGON: A TECTONOMAGMATIC FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING THE GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE POTENTIAL OF SOUTHEASTERN OREGON by Kyle Aaron Makovsky A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geology Boise State University May 2013 © 2013 Kyle Aaron Makovsky ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COLLEGE DEFENSE COMMITTEE AND FINAL READING APPROVALS of the thesis submitted by Kyle Aaron Makovsky Thesis Title: The Geothermal System near Paisley, Oregon: A Tectonomagmatic Framework for Understanding the Geothermal Resource Potential of Southeastern Oregon Date of Final Oral Examination: 01 March 2013 The following individuals read and discussed the thesis submitted by student Kyle Aaron Makovsky, and they evaluated his presentation and response to questions during the final oral examination. They found that the student passed the final oral examination. Walter S. Snyder, Ph.D. Chair, Supervisory Committee Clyde J. Northrup, Ph.D. Member, Supervisory Committee Craig White, Ph.D. Member, Supervisory Committee The final reading approval of the thesis was granted Walter S. Snyder, Ph.D., Chair of the Supervisory Committee. The thesis was approved for the Graduate College by John R. Pelton, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College. DEDICATION For Mom and Dad iv ACKNOWLEDEMENTS Many people have helped me over the years; without them, I would not be where I am today. Of course, I cannot thank my parents, Terry and Leslie, enough for raising me with the proper skills to be successful in life and for showing me how to treat people with respect. Thank you for sticking with me even when things looked grim. I would like to thank my brother, Ryan, for always encouraging me to keep on truckin’ towards the end, and for many much needed conversations regarding mom and dad. I want to thank my faithful companion, Kayla, for being such a good friend the last few years and for putting up with me when I was disgruntled over research and writing. Finally, I want to thank my two best friends Penny Lane and Grizzly Bear, my two favorite dogs. I would like to thank my friends everywhere who have been such an inspiration to me and for their undying encouragement. Thank you to my friends and colleagues here at Boise State University for everything, but especially for helping me get through the research woes. Thank you to Bryant Ware and Reggie Walters for making my dream of playing in a bluegrass band possible, and to all of Sunnyvale Stringband’s fans for their support. I want to thank the faculty and staff at Minnesota State University, Mankato for giving me the education required to be successful in my graduate studies here at Boise State. I also want to thank faculty and staff at Boise State University for all of your help during this amazing experience. Thank you, Debbie Pierce, Dave Wilkins, Lejo Flores, v Shawn Benner, Jim McNamara, Mark Schmitz, Karen Viskupic, Matt Kohn, Sam Evans, Paul Olin, Cheri Folkner, Liz Johansen, and Teresa Lobb. Help and stimulating conversations with Silvio Pezzopane, Roy Mink, Bob Beckwith, and Surprise Valley Electrification were much appreciated. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my committee, Dr. Craig White, Dr. CJ Northrup, and of course, Dr. Walt Snyder, for being so patient with me over the last 3 years. Lastly, I want to show my appreciation to Walt for giving me the opportunity to study here at Boise State. I respect you because I know I didn’t look especially appealing on paper, but you gave me a chance when many others did not, and for that I cannot thank you enough. vi ABSTRACT The tectonic and magmatic framework of southeast Oregon provides the conditions necessary for the existence of geothermal energy resources. However, few detailed studies of geothermal systems in this part of the Basin and Range have been conducted. Young bimodal magmatism and faulting associated with the High Lava Plains coupled with the encroachment of the Basin and Range tectonic province and potentially the Walker Lane have created the structural configuration, heat source, and secondary permeability necessary for geothermal systems in southeast Oregon. The relative contribution of these provinces to the overall tectonomagmatic framework is less well understood. In this study, the geothermal system near Paisley, Oregon has been characterized by a detailed regional heat flow study, geologic mapping, aqueous geochemical analysis, a gravity survey, and a X-ray diffraction analysis of secondary alteration minerals. Based on these analyses, the Paisley geothermal system shares many aspects similar to Basin and Range geothermal systems. Geologic mapping has revealed a sequence of rocks with ages spanning from the mid Eocene-Present as well as structures related to the Basin and Range Province. A structural transfer zone connects two en- echelon normal faults in Summer Lake Basin, which controls the upwelling of thermal waters. The fault controlling fluid flow in the Paisley geothermal system was imaged using a gravity survey. Thermal water in the Paisley geothermal system has been vii determined to be of meteoric source, and is interpreted to be of Pleistocene age based on stable isotopes having average values of -119.59‰ and -14.18‰ for δD and δ18O, respectively. Recharge to the thermal aquifer is driven dominantly by topographic flow, with residence times on the order of 1000s of years. Aqueous geochemistry was used to determine that the Paisley geothermal system is not magmatic in origin, with low values of magmatic SO4, As, B, and high values of HCO3 and Na. Geothermometers were used to calculate reservoir temperatures between 95 °C – 166 °C. These results were independently checked by X-ray diffraction studies of alteration mineral assemblages in reservoir rocks from two production wells drilled by Surprise Valley Electrification, which revealed similar temperatures for the stability field of mineral assemblages present in the wells. Because it has been determined that the Paisley geothermal fluids are not influenced by recent magmatism, the role of bimodal magmatism associated with the High Lava Plains on geothermal systems in southeastern Oregon appears to be minimal. However, in areas where magmatism is younger than 2 million years, this may not be true. Like the geothermal systems of the western Great Basin, the location of geothermal systems in southeast Oregon is highly dependent on the regional structural architecture. Also similar to some geothermal systems of the Basin and Range, the source of water is not modern meteoric water, but is “fossil” water, which implies that production must be managed carefully to create a sustainable resource. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDEMENTS ......................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. xiv LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Project Background ....................................................................................................... 2 Location ........................................................................................................................ 2 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 3 Previous Studies ............................................................................................................ 5 References Cited ........................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO: CENOZOIC TECTONOMAGMATIC HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN BASIN AND RANGE AND SOUTHEASTERN OREGON .......................... 10 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 10 Late-Cretaceous to Mid-Eocene ................................................................................. 11 The Laramide Orogeny ................................................................................... 11 Eocene Magmatism in Eastern Oregon, Washington and Idaho .................... 12 Late-Eocene to Early-Miocene ................................................................................... 15 Mid-Tertiary Ignimbrite Flare-Up .................................................................. 16 The John Day Formation of Central Oregon .................................................. 17 ix Mid-Miocene to Present .............................................................................................. 19 The Northern Basin and Range Province........................................................ 20 Southeast Oregon ............................................................................................ 22 The Walker Lane Belt ..................................................................................... 23 Magmatism in the Northwest Northern Basin and Range .............................