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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Geothermal energy is gaining global momentum, with countries like the U.S., Indonesia, and the Philippines leading the way.
