Estimating subsurface topography from surface-to-borehole seismic studies at the Rye Patch geothermal reservoir, Nevada, USA

Gritto, Roland; Daley, Thomas M.; Majer, Ernest L.

doi:10.1016/s0375-6505(03)00022-1

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Studies involving tunnel‐to‐surface experiments have previously been reported by Gritto et al [, ]. Compared to them, the study presented here was done with simultaneous data recording on the surface and inside the tunnel, allowing better spatial coverage for the travel time tomography.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both sources and receivers were located on the surface and inside the tunnel and the seismic wavefield simultaneously recorded on all receivers. Compared to other published experiments addressing the seismic response of fractures [ Maurer and Green , ; Angioni et al ., ; Gritto et al ., ; Daley et al ., ; Gritto et al ., ; Dietrich and Tronicke , ; Martínez and Mendoza , ], the use of sources both inside the rock mass and on the surface makes this study rather unique. Our primary objectives were high‐resolution fracture zone delineation in underground facilities using the seismic method and checking the performance of the seismic landstreamer inside the rock mass, estimating elastic properties and seismic attenuation of the fracture zones with different hydraulic properties and host rock at the site, studying and modeling the seismic response and wave mode conversions observed in the vicinity of the fracture systems, characterization of the rock mass between the tunnel and surface by first arrival travel time tomography given the unique acquisition geometry, and verifying the capability of the digital‐based seismic sensors in a highly electromagnetically noisy environment in comparison with traditional geophone‐type sensors. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Delineating fracture zones using surface‐tunnel‐surface seismic data, P‐S, and S‐P mode conversions

2017

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A surface‐tunnel‐surface seismic experiment was conducted at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory to study the seismic response of major fracture systems intersecting the tunnel. A newly developed three‐component microelectromechanical sensor‐based seismic landstreamer was deployed inside the noisy tunnel along with conventional seismic receivers. In addition to these, wireless recorders were placed on the surface. This combination enabled simultaneous recording of the seismic wavefield both inside the tunnel and on the surface. The landstreamer was positioned between two geophone‐based line segments, along the interval where known fracture systems intersect the tunnel. First arrival tomography produced a velocity model of the rock mass between the tunnel and the surface with anomalous low‐velocity zones correlating well with locations of known fracture systems. Prominent wave mode converted direct and reflected signals, P‐S and S‐P waves, were observed in numerous source gathers recorded inside the tunnel. Forward travel time and 2‐D finite difference elastic modeling, based on the known geometry of the fracture systems, show that the converted waves are generated at these systems. Additionally, the landstreamer data were used to estimate Vp/Vs, Poisson's ratio, and seismic attenuation factors (Qp and Qs) over fracture sets that have different hydraulic conductivities. The low‐conductivity fracture sets have greater reductions in P wave velocities and Poisson's ratio and are more attenuating than the highly hydraulically conductive fracture set. Our investigations contribute to fracture zone characterization on a scale corresponding to seismic exploration wavelengths.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Delineating fracture zones using surface‐tunnel‐surface seismic data, P‐S, and S‐P mode conversions

2017

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“…Wells completed in this aquifer record temperatures of ~200 °C. The seismic tomography of Gritto et al (2003) indicated subsurface topography in the geo thermal region, with a broad west-trending ridge in the shallow subsurface, possibly bounded on one or both sides by faults. The interpretation of east or ENE-striking faults is supported by results of a 3D seismic experiment that covers the Rye Patch geothermal anomaly (Feighner et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevada's power plants and geothermal areas appear to lie on NE-trending zones , and most are broadly encompassed by Walker Lane and the Humboldt shear zone. Gritto et al (2003) carried out a surface-toborehole seismic experiment in the area of the Rye Patch geothermal fi eld. They found a signifi cant velocity increase at the base of the section of Tertiary sediments and volcanic rocks making up this part of the Humboldt River basin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

LiDAR and hyperspectral analysis of mineral alteration and faulting on the west side of the Humboldt Range, Nevada

Silver

MacKnight²,

Male

et al. 2011

Geosphere

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In order to evaluate the setting of the Humboldt-Rye Patch geothermal fi eld, we carried out a program of hyperspectral and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) imaging of the Humboldt River basin to test (1) whether fault patterns, surface mineral alteration, and mud volcanoes in the Humboldt-Rye Patch district offer the potential for additional geothermal exploration sites;(2) whether mud diapirism in this region could be caused by seismic shaking; and (3) whether significant improvements in exploration can be made using these remotesensing tools in addition to the more traditional techniques. In the southern (Rye Patch) region, a set of faults cuts the surface of the alluvial fans, and several faults cut shorelines of Lake Lahontan. These shorelines lie at an elevation of 1290 m, which corresponds with the elevation of the Lake 12,500 ± 500 yr ago. We fi nd no signs of surface mineral alteration in the Rye Patch area in spite of the existence of these faults and known alteration at depth. Farther north, in the Humboldt House region, we find abundant evidence of alteration products, including siliceous sinter, carbonate, montmorillonite, hematite, and jarosite. This alteration is widespread, and corresponds to young faulting in only one location. The LiDAR data show at least two mud volcanoes and a large fi eld of low-carbonate mounds. Some of these (apparently) diapiric features may have been associated with seismicity, and both active and paleoseismic events would have been suffi ciently close and energetic to have initiated liquefaction in this region. Such liquefaction events would have been more likely, however, during the high stands of Lake Lahontan, when the ground would have been saturated, consistent with reported ages on rocks correlated with the carbonate mounds. We propose further geothermal exploration based on these results.

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“…This interpretation was used to constrain the positioning of seismic reflectors deduced from the poor quality seismic reflection survey and revealed geological structures that were not previously apparent in the seismic data (Nakagome et al 1998). At the Rye Patch geothermal field in Nevada, Gritto et al (2003) used multiple VSP surveys to obtain information on the velocity structure and the reflectivity of the subsurface. The goal was to explore the structural features that may control geothermal production in the area.…”

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confidence: 99%

Initial seismic observations from a deep borehole drilled into the Canadian Shield in northeast Alberta

Chan

Schmitt

2014

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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Estimating subsurface topography from surface-to-borehole seismic studies at the Rye Patch geothermal reservoir, Nevada, USA

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Delineating fracture zones using surface‐tunnel‐surface seismic data, P‐S, and S‐P mode conversions

Delineating fracture zones using surface‐tunnel‐surface seismic data, P‐S, and S‐P mode conversions

LiDAR and hyperspectral analysis of mineral alteration and faulting on the west side of the Humboldt Range, Nevada

Initial seismic observations from a deep borehole drilled into the Canadian Shield in northeast Alberta

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