USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3437 Pamphlet
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Three-Dimensional Geologic Map of the Southern Carson Sink, Nevada, Including the Fallon FORGE Area By Drew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Nicholas H. Hinz, Jeffrey B. Witter, Kelly Blake, John Queen, and Mark Fortuna Pamphlet to accompany Scientific Investigations Map 3437 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DAVID BERNHARDT, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey James F. Reilly II, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2019 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit https://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., Glen, J.M.G., Hinz, N.H., Witter, J.B., Blake, Kelly, Queen, John, and Fortuna, Mark, 2019, Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area: U.S. Geologi- cal Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3437, 22 p., 1 sheet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3437. ISSN 2329–132X (online) Contents Abstract ..............................................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Scope ..........................................................................................................................................1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................1 Geologic Setting ................................................................................................................................................3 Data....... ..............................................................................................................................................................3 Well Cuttings and Cores ......................................................................................................................3 Seismic Reflection ................................................................................................................................6 Potential-Field Data ..............................................................................................................................9 Methods............................................................................................................................................................12 Mapping............................................................................................................................................................14 Structure...........................................................................................................................................................14 Potential Applications for 3–D Map .............................................................................................................16 Reservoir Modeling ............................................................................................................................16 Seismicity Analysis .............................................................................................................................16 Conventional Geothermal Exploration .............................................................................................16 Education and Scientific Inquiry ......................................................................................................16 Basin Hydrogeology ...........................................................................................................................16 Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................................................................17 Description of Map Units ...............................................................................................................................17 Unconsolidated Deposits ..................................................................................................................17 Bedrock ................................................................................................................................................17 Volcanic Rocks ...........................................................................................................................17 Mesozoic Crystalline Basement ..............................................................................................18 References Cited.............................................................................................................................................18 Figures 1. Regional map of Carson Sink area showing generalized bedrock geology and location of southern Carson Sink 3–D map. .............................................................................2 2. Southern Carson Sink area showing the locations of magnetic data and gravity stations used in construction of the 3–D map. ........................................................................4 3. Graph showing lithologic logs from nine wells in the southern Carson Sink area. ...........5 4. Total alkali silica (TAS) plot showing analyses of Miocene volcanic rocks (Tvs) and Jurassic metabasalt (}b) samples from wells in the Fallon FORGE area and the Bunejug Mountains. ..............................................................................................................6 5. Map of southern Carson Sink area showing surface extents of southern Carson Sink 3–D map, Fallon FORGE area, and Fallon FORGE site, as well as locations of published geologic maps, available lidar, seismic-reflection data, and potential- fields-profile models used in construction of the 3–D map. ..................................................7 6. Seismic-reflection data (A) and interpretation (B) of Line N-3. ............................................8 7. Map showing isostatic gravity in the area of the southern Carson Sink 3–D map. .........10 8. Map showing reduced-to-pole magnetic anomaly in southern Carson Sink 3–D map area ..............................................................................................................................11 9. Potential-field-profile model for Profile 3. ..............................................................................13 10. Lower hemisphere projections showing mapped faults and natural fractures in wells in the southern Carson Sink 3–D map area. ................................................................15 iii Tables 1. Magnetic and density properties used in potential-field modeling .......................................12 Map Sheet Three-Dimensional Geologic Map of the Southern Carson Sink, Nevada, Including the Fallon FORGE Area.............................................................................https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3437 iv Three-Dimensional Geologic Map of the Southern Carson Sink, Nevada, Including the Fallon FORGE area By Drew L. Siler1, James E. Faulds2, Jonathan M.G. Glen1, Nicholas H. Hinz2, Jeffrey B. Witter3, Kelly Blake4, John Queen5, and Mark Fortuna6 Abstract improving enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technolo- gies and techniques. EGS relies on generation of permeability The three-dimensional (3–D) geologic map characterizes in hot but impermeable rock through a variety of subsurface the subsurface in the southern Carson Sink region. We created engineering processes. The ultimate aim of EGS is to produce the 3–D map by integrating the results from seismic-reflection, a fluid circulation system between a group of wells that can be potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging inves- used to generate electricity or to link newly generated perme- tigations completed in and around the Fallon FORGE site as ability to an existing producing geothermal field (Tester and part of the U.S. Department of Energy Frontier Observatory others, 2006). Estimates suggest that, if developed, renewable for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) initiative from EGS resources could constitute a significant portion of future 2015–2018. The FORGE initiative was part of an effort to domestic energy needs in the United States (Tester and others, develop the technologies, techniques, and knowledge needed 2006; Blackwell and others, 2007; Williams and others, 2008). to make enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) a commercially A detailed geologic understanding of the subsurface is critical viable electricity-generation option for the United States. Geo- to develop successful EGS. This 3–D geologic map (map sheet; logic units and structures mapped during the Fallon FORGE also movie at https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3437) provides a sub- study, which particularly focused on the Mesozoic basement, surface characterization of the southern Carson Sink to inform were extrapolated to create the 3–D map of the southern Carson the EGS research completed at the Fallon FORGE site. Sink area. The 3–D map area is 10 km wide along the east-west The