Figure I Generalized map of the Wilbur Mining ... - University of Utah

Geothermal Resources Council, TRAHSACTIOUS, Vol. 3 Septetiiber 1979
BOREHOLE TEMPERATURE STUDIES OF
THE LAS ALTURAS GEOTHERMAL ANOMALY, NEW MEXICO
Paul Morgan, Chandler A. Swanberg
and Richard L. Lohse
New Mexico State University
Box 3D, Las Cruces, NM 88003
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION
Three phases of borehole temperature studies
have been made relative to the Las Alturas geothermal
anomaly in southern New Mexico: i) logging
of "free" holes; ii) shallow gradient study; and
ill) analysis of data from two 300m tests. A maximum
temperature of 62.5''C (145°F) has been measured
at 300m in one of the tests, and the data
indicate that the source of the anomaly Is a hydrothermal
circulation system. A simple analysis
of the temperature data indicate vertical water
flow rates of the order of 1x10"^ m/s ('»' 1 ft/yr).
The borehole temperature data have provided valuable
information for delineating, evaluating and
characterizing the nature of the source of the
jnomaly.
NMSU SUBSURFACE TEMPERATURE
RESEARCH STUDY
Geophysical, engineering and economic studies
all indicate that the Las Alturas geothermal anomaly,
located adjacent to the city of Las Cruces,
New Mexico (Figure 1), is a potentially economic
low temperature geothermai resource for direct
heat applications at the New Mexico State University
campus (Gunaji et^ al.-, 1978; Dicey et al. ,
this volume). Borehole temperature studies have
been made in and around the Las Alturas anomaly in
three phases: i) regional exploration comprising
temperature measurements in "free" holes, 11) drilling
and measurement of 30m temperature gradient
» , .V I • -r--? ..'I-
Flg. 1 Index map of that part of Las Cruces, New Mexico, which includes the New Mexico State University
campus (to the west) and the Las Alturas area (Wells, labeled 6-9). Also shown are the locations
of the boreholes used for temperature studies.
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