On November 11, 2023, the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) showcased its newest permanent exhibit: “A Climate of Hope.”
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 – Drill Core
Drill Core Intact cylindrical shaped sample of rock obtained during drilling with a special coring bit. Although commonly narrow in diameter (e.g., 1-4" or 25-100 mm), it preserves a geological record that makes it possible to interpret the sequence of mineral...
Word of the Week – Drill Cuttings
Drill Cuttings Small chips of rocks (e.g., <1/8 inch or <3 mm) obtained during drilling with a rotary bit that are continuously returned to the surface by the circulation of mud. Drill cuttings are the main source of geological and stratigraphic interpretation...
Word of the Week – Enhanced Geothermal System
Enhanced Geothermal System Unconventional geothermal resources that contain heat similar to conventional hydrothermal resources but lack the necessary groundwater and/or rock characteristics (e.g., permeability) to enable energy extraction without stimulation.