Geologic Investigations at the Coso Thermal Area.

The Coso Thermal Area consists of some 80 square miles of land exhibiting a geothermal potential in the form of recent and quaternary vulcanism extensive faulting in the form of linear zones, arcuate and radial patterns, and collapse features approaching calderas in form and the leakage of steam and gases with attendant hydrothermal alteration. Studies of the thermal area have included gravity and magnetometer measurements, mineralogic investigations, surface geology, infrared and other emission patterns, the analyses of emitted fluids from existing shallow wells, and the boring of a shallow test well to obtain fresh samples of the near-surface fluids in one of the more thermally active fault zones. The evidence at this time indicates that the shallow geothermal potential depths in hundreds of feet is minor, but that a study of the area with respect to deep development depths in thousands of feet could develop a significant geothermal potential. The information presented in this report consists of the mineralogic, chemical, and test-well data plus the surficial structural interpretations for the thermal leakage areas. Author