Thermal history of the Acoculco geothermal system, eastern Mexico: Insights from numerical modeling and radiocarbon dating

Canet, Carles; Trillaud, F.; Prol‐Ledesma, Rosa María; González-Hernández, Galia; Peláez, Berenice; Hernández-Cruz, Berenice; Sánchez-Córdova, María M.

doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2015.09.019

Cited by 21 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The hydrothermal mineral assemblage identified in the surface rocks of AGS (Table ) is broadly in accordance with those reported by Canet et al (,b); They reported six SWIR active minerals (opal, kaolinite, Alu, ammonio‐Jrs, buddingtonite and interstratified illite–smectite) in the surface rocks of the AGS from an area much larger than that covered in the present work (see Figure ) and their mineralogy based on the SWIR reflectance spectroscopy and some minerals are also verified by X‐ray diffraction of the surface rocks of the AGS. In the present study, dominant minerals are polymorphs of silica (quartz, cristobalite and tridymite).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Among the remaining 39 rock samples, though all rocks have undergone variously intensive alteration, 34 samples are highly altered and are located within the marked zone of intense hydrothermal alteration at AGS (fig. 1 of Canet, Trillaud, et al, ), and the remaining 5 rock samples (E‐4, E‐7 and E‐8 at the Los Azufres; E‐1 and E2 at the Alcaparrosa) are a short distance away from this alteration zone (Figure ). However, we did not sample a large area of the region because our intention was to collect the rock samples from same geological sequence to avoid any major lithological influence in the comparison study.…”

Section: Sampling and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Schematic presentation of the study area of the AGS (marked with a rectangle) along with details on surface geology, locations of the geothermal wells (EAC‐1 and EAC‐2) and springs, and the hydrothermal alteration zone (marked with a red boundary). This figure is modified from the figure of López‐Hernández et al () and Canet et al (,b). To avoid overlapping of longer sample names, their serial numbers are shown in this figure, Table has the sample numbers and corresponding sample names.AGS, Acoculco geothermal system.…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb radiogenic isotope data of outcropping rocks from Acoculco caldera, Verma () reported that they could be generated in the upper mantle from a lithospheric source. Similarly, the thermal history of the AGS was preliminarily studied using numerical modelling and radiocarbon dating by Canet et al (); whereas a geochemical survey based on information on the available existing fluid composition and some soil–gas flux measurements (CO 2 –CH 4 –H 2 S) at the Acoculco caldera reported by Peiffer et al (). On the other hand, Canet et al () carried out a study on the surface hydrothermal alteration in the Acoculco geothermal area based on short‐wavelength infra‐red (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mineralogical and geochemical changes due to hydrothermal alteration of the volcanic rocks at Acoculco geothermal system, Mexico

et al. 2020

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Most of the volcanic rocks in the Acoculco geothermal system (AGS), near to the surface manifestations, are intensively altered. Thirty‐four surface volcanic rocks and five rocks from outcrop sections are considered in this work. Silica polymorphs (quartz, cristobalite and tridymite) are the dominant hydrothermal minerals in almost all the rock samples. The following other minerals are present in minor concentrations: alkali‐feldspars (sanidine potassic, anorthoclase and microcline), plagioclase feldspars (albite and anorthite), clay minerals (illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite), anhydrite, buddingtonite, titanoaugite, magnetite and anatase. This type of mineral assemblage of the rocks indicates an intensive silicic and argillic alteration. Comparison of the elemental concentrations of the surface acid rocks of the AGS with that of the precursor rock has indicated alteration‐induced changes in (a) chemical mobility in the concentrations of major element oxides, with an increase in the concentrations of SiO2, and TiO2, loss in those of Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O and K2O, and no statistically significant changes in those of P2O5, (b) no significant changes in the concentrations of LREE and MREE (except Dy and Ho), however, less but significant loss in the concentrations of Dy and Ho, and HREE, and (c) there is an enrichment in the concentrations of Nd, Sr, Sc, V, Nb, Ag, Sn, Pb, Tl, Ta, U and Th; and depletion in Be, Co, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, Y, Zr, Mo, Cs, Ba and Hf compared to those of the precursor rock. This type of distribution of the elements may indicate (a) an intense silicic alteration; and (b) REEs might have been leached from the original rocks because of hydrothermal alteration processes, but only LREEs, and MREEs (except Dy and Ho) can be redistributed and accommodated in the hydrothermal minerals, providing them with somewhat inert (immobile) behaviour. The mass change calculations have indicated that MnO and Sr have experienced the greatest and smallest mass changes, respectively. The identification of outliers in chemical data has revealed the presence of two distinctive groups of rocks. Ten out of the total 27 acid volcanic rocks with several elements as outlier data are negligibly to moderately altered (Group‐1), and the remaining 17 acid rocks without outlier data are intensively altered rocks (Group‐2).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Sampling and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mineralogical and geochemical changes due to hydrothermal alteration of the volcanic rocks at Acoculco geothermal system, Mexico

et al. 2020

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“…Up to now, two exploration wells have been drilled in the Acoculco geothermal field, which encountered temperatures of approximately 300 • C at a depth of about 2 km (Canet et al, 2015). In both wells no geothermal fluids were found (López-Hernández et al, 2009), even though it was thought that a well-developed fracture network exists in the area.…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcrop analogue study to determine reservoir properties of the Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields, Mexico

et al. 2018

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Abstract. The Los Humeros geothermal system is steam dominated and currently under exploration with 65 wells (23 producing). Having temperatures above 380 ∘C, the system is characterized as a super hot geothermal system (SHGS). The development of such systems is still challenging due to the high temperatures and aggressive reservoir fluids which lead to corrosion and scaling problems. The geothermal system in Acoculco (Puebla, Mexico; so far only explored via two exploration wells) is characterized by temperatures of approximately 300 ∘C at a depth of about 2 km. In both wells no geothermal fluids were found, even though a well-developed fracture network exists. Therefore, it is planned to develop an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). For better reservoir understanding and prospective modeling, extensive geological, geochemical, geophysical and technical investigations are performed within the scope of the GEMex project. Outcrop analogue studies have been carried out in order to identify the main fracture pattern, geometry and distribution of geological units in the area and to characterize all key units from the basement to the cap rock regarding petro- and thermo-physical rock properties and mineralogy. Ongoing investigations aim to identify geological and structural heterogeneities on different scales to enable a more reliable prediction of reservoir properties. Beside geological investigations, physical properties of the reservoir fluids are determined to improve the understanding of the hydrochemical processes in the reservoir and the fluid-rock interactions, which affect the reservoir rock properties.

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The influence of alteration and fractures on gas permeability and mechanical properties of the sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Acoculco Caldera Complex (México)

Ramírez-Guzmán,

Pola,

Macias

et al. 2024

Bull Eng Geol Environ

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Petrophysical and mechanical properties of limestones and volcanic altered and unaltered rocks were estimated by a series of laboratory measurements. The aim of this work was to study the changes in matrix permeability and the influence of an induced vertical fracture. The phenomenon was studied by direct comparison of different properties (porosity, UCS, permeability) and by a multiple linear regression analysis. Porosity, UCS, and matrix permeability of limestones and non-altered volcanic rocks showed homogeneous values. However, the permeability increased from poor to moderate after fracture induction (10–17 to 10–14 m2). Altered volcanic specimens showed a more complex pore system. Thus, considerable variations in all measured properties were identified. For example, porosity ranged from 6 to 50% and Permeability ranged from 10–14 to 10–12 m2. Comparison plots including UCS, porosity, and matrix permeability showed a good fitting (R2=0.75). Multiple linear regression analysis in fractured specimens has a moderate R2 (0.55) The model that better explains the permeability evolution of fractured specimens has the fracture permeability as the response variable and the porosity values as independent variables. The usage and repeatability of these equations in other zones should include more singularities of every single specimen as pore size, pore distribution, and fractures.

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Thermal history of the Acoculco geothermal system, eastern Mexico: Insights from numerical modeling and radiocarbon dating

Cited by 21 publications

References 21 publications

Mineralogical and geochemical changes due to hydrothermal alteration of the volcanic rocks at Acoculco geothermal system, Mexico

Mineralogical and geochemical changes due to hydrothermal alteration of the volcanic rocks at Acoculco geothermal system, Mexico

Outcrop analogue study to determine reservoir properties of the Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields, Mexico

The influence of alteration and fractures on gas permeability and mechanical properties of the sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Acoculco Caldera Complex (México)

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