The Energy & Geoscience Institute announces Dr. Kristie McLin as Director of Research and Science and new Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project, succeeding Dr. Joseph Moore.
Geology of the Utah FORGE Site with Dr. Clay Jones
What exactly are the rock types that make up the underground laboratory of Utah FORGE? In this webinar, Dr. Clay Jones describes the geology of the site and surrounding area and the findings from core and cutting analyses of deep wells!
Discover what lies beneath—hit play on the video above to watch the full webinar.
Inside the Geology of Utah FORGE
These wells drilled through the basin fill, hit the basement rock marked by sheared rhyolite and granitoid hitting the deepest part of the reservoir made up a mixture of granitoid and metamorphic rock. Follow this webinar to learn about more about the tectonic history of the area, have a look at the lithologic and geothermal history of the reservoir from core photos and xray and SEM images. Find out what and how the mineral and geochemical compositions contribute to making up this underground geothermal EGS reservoir.
To learn more about the geology of the Utah FORGE site, visit our geology page on the Data Dashboard.
About the Speaker
Dr. Clay Jones is a geologist at the University of Utah’s Energy and Geoscience Institute, where he has worked since 2004. He specializes in the mineralogy and geochemical evolution of geothermal reservoirs, with expertise in petrographic and SEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and hydrothermal alteration studies. Over his career, Dr. Jones has conducted investigations of geothermal systems worldwide for organizations including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Navy, and leading energy companies.
In this webinar, you’ll find out:
- Which rock types form the underground Utah FORGE laboratory.
- How core photos, X-ray, and SEM images uncover the site’s story.
- How minerals and geochemistry drive geothermal energy potential.
- Why understanding geology is key to advancing enhanced geothermal systems.
Learn More about the Geology of Utah FORGE
Want to dive deeper into the geology behind Utah FORGE? Visit our Geology page on the Data Dashboard for core photos, lithologic details, and more in-depth resources.
Learn More about the Geology of Utah FORGE
Want to dive deeper into the geology behind Utah FORGE? Visit our Geology page on the Data Dashboard for core photos, lithologic details, and more in-depth resources.
Latest Posts
Dr. Kristie McLin Named Director of Research and Science at EGI and Principal Investigator of Utah FORGE
The Energy & Geoscience Institute announces Dr. Kristie McLin as Director of Research and Science and new Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project, succeeding Dr. Joseph Moore.
EGS Hot Dry Rock Energy Resource at Utah FORGE – A Geoscientific Perspective
The heat beneath our feet flows through the earth in a complex pattern. Utah FORGE is situated in a heat reservoir that has been studied since the 1970s. In this webinar, Dr. Stuart Simmons delves into the unique geologic and geothermal resources found at Utah FORGE and the surrounding area.
Dr. Kristine Pankow Named GSA 2025–2026 Distinguished Lecturer
Dr. Kristine Pankow of the University of Utah has been named the Geological Society of America’s 2025–2026 Distinguished Lecturer. Her lecture, “Utah FORGE: A Field-Scale Geothermal Laboratory,” will spotlight groundbreaking research at the world’s only dedicated site for advancing Enhanced Geothermal Systems.