Before it became the world’s largest geothermal power-producing site, The Geysers was known as the “Gates to Hades,” drawing visitors with its healing waters, steam vents, and wild legends.
Chemical Geothermometer
A temperature that is calculated based on the chemical composition of a hydrothermal fluid and involves knowing a ratio (e.g., Na/K) or knowing the absolute concentration of a species (e.g., SiO2). Temperature is computed using a simple numerical formula that is commonly based on chemical fluid-mineral equilibrium.
Geothermal Glossary
Word of the Week – Cement Bond Log
Cement Bond Log A geophysical well log that is obtained using a sonic-type tool on a wireline. The result helps to confirm the integrity of the hardened cement that was injected to form a bond between well casing and the adjacent rock formation.
Word of the Week – Chlorite
Chlorite A micaceous mineral that is commonly green-colored, composed of iron and/or magnesium, and forms due to hydrothermal alteration of amphiboles, pyroxenes, and feldspars.
Word of the Week – Conduction
Conduction For geothermal applications, this refers to heat transfer in solids where thermal energy flows via microscopic-submicroscopic collisions of particles, which at a macro level is seen as solid-state diffusion. A vertical conductive thermal gradient is linear...