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.
Stable Isotopes
Refers to non-radioactive isotopes of elements, including those of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. In geothermal geochemistry, the stable isotope ratios of oxygen (18O/16O) and hydrogen (2H/1H) in thermal waters are used to trace its origin (e.g., meteoric, magmatic).
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 – Chemical Geothermometer
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...
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.