Geology and geothermal waters of Lightning Dock region, Animas Valley and Pyramid Mountains, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Abstract

Geothermal Resources Area (KGRA) and nearby parts of the Pyramid Mountains and Animas Valley, Hidalgo County, New Mexico (geologic map in back pocket; fig. 1). The geologic mapping done during the summers of 1975 and 1976 and covering four 71/-min quadrangles (Pyramid Peak, Swallow Fork Peak, Table Top Mountain, and South Pyramid Peak) delineates aspects of regional geology that bear on the interpretation of the Lightning Dock geothermal anomaly. More detailed reports on regional geology have been published elsewhere (Deal and others, 1978; Elston and others, 1979). The chapter on Geochemistry, by M. J. Logsdon, summarizes an M.S. thesis on the thermal and cold waters of part of the Animas Valley completed by the author at the University of New Mexico during 1978-1980 (Logsdon, 1981). The thesis should be consulted for details of procedures, including computer programs, mineral-stability diagrams, and the analytical procedures for determining the isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. The closing chapter on Conclusions concerning geothermal resources, by all three authors, summarizes the features of the geothermal system known or inferred at present.

Final Technical Report; Geothermal Resource Evaluation and Definitioni (GRED) Program-Phases I, II, and III for the Animas Valley, NM Geothermal Resource

“…in turn occurs at the edge of the Paleozoic cratonic region of North America (Chang et al, 1999;Corbitt andWoodward 1973, andDuchene, 1981). Elston, et al, (1983) give a good overview of the geology and provide a thorough geochemical analysis of the waters of the Lightning Dock KGRA. According to Blackwell and Wisian (2001), gravity data illustrate the basement and fault structure of Animas Valley.…”

“…Quaternary/Tertiary conglomerate (O'Brien and Stone, 1984). The Pyramid Mountains, composed of rocks primarily of Cretaceous age and younger (Flege, 1959), form a complex volcanic sequence known as the Muir cauldron others, 1978, andElston et al, 1983). In contrast, the Peloncillo Mountains consist of a Precambrian granite core, a complete Paleozoic section, Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and Tertiary intrusive and eruptive rocks (Gillerman, 1958, Dane and Bachman, 1961, and Dane and Bachman, 1965.…”

Gas Analysis of Geothermal Fluid Inclusions: A New Technology For Geothermal Exploration

“…This analysis shows the location of a gas plume, and suggests a structure trending NE-SW from the discovery site dipping to the SE. There are structures trending NE in the Lightning Dock district (Elston, Deal et al 1983). However, the structure the gas data suggests does no3t show on maps because the Animas Valley is covered by thick gravel.…”

Geothermal Technologies Program Geoscience and Supporting Technologies 2001 University Research Summaries

“…This analysis shows the location of a gas plume, and suggests a structure trending NE-SW from the discovery site dipping to the SE. There are structures trending NE in the Lightning Dock district (Elston, Deal et al 1983). However, the structure the gas data suggests is not shown on maps because the Animas Valley is covered by thick gravel.…”