Helium Isotopes

Helium Isotopes

Helium gas is a trace constituent of groundwater and thermal fluids, and the ratio of 3He to 4He can be measured with a high-precision mass spectrometer to determine whether it is derived from air, from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in the crust, or from the mantle. The latter is a characteristic feature of volcanic and geothermal gases.

Geothermal Glossary

Word of the Week – Epidote

Word of the Week – Epidote

Epidote Alumino-silicate hydrothermal mineral having a distinctive yellow-green color that is used a mineral geothermometer, forming at temperatures above ~230°C. The first down hole occurrence of epidote commonly coincides with the top of a high-temperature...

Word of the Week – Felsic

Word of the Week – Felsic

Felsic A geological term referring to igneous rocks that are equivalent to rhyolite and granite in composition.

Word of the Week – Flowback

Word of the Week – Flowback

Flowback Return flow of slickwater that was injected during a stimulation. This is a highly controlled process in which well head pressure is reduced to allow managed fluid recovery. Fluids are commonly sampled and chemically analyzed to determine the effects of...

Utah FORGE

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