Mineral Geothermometer

Mineral Geothermometer

A secondary mineral phase whose stability is defined by a lower and sometimes an upper temperature threshold. Common mineral geothermometers comprise clays, zeolites and epidote, with crystal structures that contain a hydroxyl (OH) or water (H2O) molecule. The temperature ranges of mineral geothermometers are calibrated from investigations of a large number of drilled geothermal resources where mineral zonations and temperature gradients have been determined.

Geothermal Glossary

Word of the Week – Diorite

Word of the Week – Diorite

Diorite Dark colored, coarse grained, intrusive rock that contains less silica than granite and that is mostly made of plagioclase, biotite, hornblende, pyroxene, and minor to nil quartz.

Word of the Week – Direct Use

Word of the Week – Direct Use

Direct use The utilization of geothermal heat as an energy resource, e.g., to heat (or cool) a building such as a greenhouse, for drying, for manufacturing.

Word of the Week – Directional Drilling

Word of the Week – Directional Drilling

Directional Drilling The practice of steering the trajectory of a well during drilling from vertical to a deviated angle, including horizontal drilling used for oil and gas production from poorly permeable rocks. Directional drilling may also be used to maneuver...

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