Preliminary Data on the Structure and Potential of the Tocomar Geothermal Field (Puna Plateau, Argentina)

Giordano, Guido; Ahumada, F.; Aldega, Luca; Báez, Walter; Becchio, Raúl; Bigi, Sabina; Caricchi, Chiara; Chiodi, Agostina; Corrado, Sveva; Benedetti, A. A. De; Favetto, A.; Filipovich, Rubén Eduardo; Fusari, Alessandro; Groppelli, Gianluca; Invernizzi, Chiara; Maffucci, Roberta; Norini, Gianluca; Pinton, Annamaria; Pomposiello, Cristina; Tassi, Franco; Taviani, Sara; Viramonte, J.

doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2016.10.055

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Up to date, the only geothermal target considered of interest to continue geothermal investigations in the northwestern Argentina was the Tuzgle-Tocomar geothermal system (Giordano et al, 2013(Giordano et al, , 2016Norini et al, 2014;. In this sense, the present investigation expands the frontiers of geothermal research in northwestern Argentina, unveiling a promising geothermal system for this region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Preliminary conceptual model of the Cerro Blanco caldera-hosted geothermal system (Southern Puna, Argentina): Inferences from geochemical investigations

Chiodi

Tassi

Báez

et al. 2019

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

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The Cerro Blanco Caldera (CBC) is the youngest collapse caldera system in the Southern Central Andes (Southern Puna, Argentina). The CBC is subsiding with at an average velocity of 0.87 cm/year and hosts an active geothermal system. A geochemical characterization of emitted fluids was carried out based on the chemical and isotopic compositions of fumaroles, and thermal and cold springs discharged in this volcanic area with the aim of constructing the first hydrogeochemical conceptual model and preliminary estimate the geothermal potential. The main hydrothermal reservoir, likely hosted within the pre-caldera basement rocks, has a Na +-Clˉ(HCO 3)c omposition with estimated temperatures ≥135°C. The unconsolidated, fine-grained Cerro Blanco ignimbrite likely acts as the cap-rock of the hydrothermal system. The presence of phreatic eruption breccias in the surrounding area of the geothermal fumaroles supports the effectiveness of the pyroclastic deposit as sealing rocks. The isotopic data of water (δ 18 O and δD) indicate a meteoric recharge of the hydrothermal reservoir, suggesting as recharge areas the sectors surrounding the CBC, mainly towards the W and NW where large outcrops of the pre-caldera basement exist. A fault-controlled hydraulic connection between the hot springs and the hydrothermal reservoir is proposed for the Los Hornitos area. The fumaroles show the typical compositional features of hydrothermal fluids, being dominated by water vapor with significant concentrations of H 2 S, CH 4 and H 2. Considering the high geothermal gradient of this area (∼104°C/km) and the relatively high fraction of mantle He (∼39%) calculated on the basis of the measured R/Ra values, the hydrothermal aquifer likely receives inputs of magmatic fluids from the degassing magma chamber. The preliminary geothermal potential at CBC was evaluated with the Volume Method, calculating up to E = 11.4*10 18 J. Both the scarce presence of superficial thermal manifestations and the occurrence of an efficient cap-rock likely contribute to minimize the loss of thermal energy from the reservoir. The results here presented constitute the necessary base of knowledge for further accurate assessment of the geothermal potential and ultimately the implementation of the geothermal resource as a viable energy alternative for small localities or mining facilities isolated from the National Interconnected System due to their remote localization.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Preliminary conceptual model of the Cerro Blanco caldera-hosted geothermal system (Southern Puna, Argentina): Inferences from geochemical investigations

Chiodi

Tassi

Báez

et al. 2019

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

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“…hydrothermal system, spatial relationships, and fluid paths along primary permeability and fracture zones (e.g. Bonali et al, 2015;Giordano et al, 2016).…”

Section: Arroyo Grande and Maxtaloya Faultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reverse faults of this type have been identified in natural cases of shallow-seated intrusions (e.g. Sibbett, 1988;Jackson and Pollard, 1990;Schofield et al, 2010;Wilson et al, 2016).…”

Section: Arroyo Grande and Maxtaloya Faultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comment on “Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico)” by Urbani et al. (2020)

Norini

Groppelli

2020

Solid Earth

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Abstract. A multiple shallow-seated magmatic intrusion model has been proposed by Urbani et al. (2020) for the resurgence of the Los Potreros caldera floor, in the Los Humeros volcanic complex (LHVC). This model predicts (1) the occurrence of localized bulges in the otherwise undeformed caldera floor, and (2) that the faults corresponding to different bulges exhibit different spatial and temporal evolution. Published data and a morphological analysis show that these two conditions are not met at Los Potreros caldera. A geothermal well (H4), located at the youngest supposed bulge (Loma Blanca) for which Urbani et al. (2020) calculated an intrusion depth (425±170 m), does not show any thermal and lithological evidence of such a shallow-seated cryptodome. Finally, published stratigraphic data and radiometric dating disprove the proposed common genesis of Holocene resurgence faulting and viscous lavas extruded in the centre of the caldera. Even if recent shallow intrusions do exist in the area, published data indicate that the pressurization of the LHVC magmatic–hydrothermal system driving resurgence faulting occurs at greater depth. Thus, we suggest that the model and calculation proposed by Urbani et al. (2020) are unlikely to have any relevance to the location, age and emplacement depth of magma intrusions driving resurgence at the Los Potreros caldera.

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“…system, spatial relationships, and fluid paths along primary permeability and fracture zones (e.g. Bonali et al, 2016;Giordano et al, 2016).…”

Section: /12mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comment on Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico) by Urbani et al. (2020)

Norini¹,

Groppelli²

2020

Preprint

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Abstract. A multiple shallow–seated magmatic intrusions model has been proposed by Urbani et al. (2020) for the resurgence of the Los Potreros caldera floor, in the Los Humeros Volcanic Complex. This model predicts (1) the occurrence of localized bulges in the otherwise undeformed caldera floor, and (2) that the faults corresponding to different bulges exhibit different spatial and temporal evolution. Published data and a morphological analysis show that these two conditions are not met at Los Potreros caldera. A geothermal well (H4), located at the youngest supposed bulge (Loma Blanca) for which Urbani et al. (2020) calculated an intrusion depth (425±170 m), doesn’t show any thermal and lithological evidence of such a shallow–seated cryptodome. Finally, published stratigraphic data and radiometric dating disprove the proposed common genesis of Holocene resurgence faulting and viscous lavas extruded in the centre of the caldera. Even if recent shallow intrusions may exist in the area, published data indicate that the pressurization of the LHVC magmatic/hydrothermal system driving resurgence faulting occurs at greater depth. Thus, we suggest that the model and calculation proposed by Urbani et al. (2020) are unlikely to have any relevance to the location, age and emplacement depth of magma intrusions driving resurgence at the Los Potreros caldera.

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Preliminary Data on the Structure and Potential of the Tocomar Geothermal Field (Puna Plateau, Argentina)

Cited by 22 publications

References 13 publications

Preliminary conceptual model of the Cerro Blanco caldera-hosted geothermal system (Southern Puna, Argentina): Inferences from geochemical investigations

Preliminary conceptual model of the Cerro Blanco caldera-hosted geothermal system (Southern Puna, Argentina): Inferences from geochemical investigations

Comment on “Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico)” by Urbani et al. (2020)

Comment on Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico) by Urbani et al. (2020)

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