Characterizing structure in southern Summer Lake valley, Oregon using ground- and sUAS-based potential field geophysics

By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Summer Lake is located in south-central Oregon at the extreme northwestern extent of the Basin and Range Province, bordered by the Cascade Volcanic Province to the west and the High Lava Plains to the north. The valley hosts numerous hot springs and a small geothermal powerplant at the southeastern end of the valley in the town of Paisley. This tectonically active region has undergone significant ENE-directed extension producing highly faulted terrain with fault blocks tilting on average 60° from the maximum extension direction. Local geology consists of young volcanics which have been extensively dissected by predominantly NNW-trending normal faults. These same structures likely extend through the basin but are concealed by young basin fill sediments and volcanics. As a result, potential field geophysical methods are ideally suited for characterizing subsurface geology and structures in this region which are important for understanding basin evolution and tectonics within the valley. New ground-based gravity and magnetic data, as well as sUAS- (small uncrewed aerial systems) based magnetic data reveal a prevalent NNW-trending fabric beneath the basin fill in southern Summer Lake valley that likely plays an important role in controlling the flow of subsurface hydrothermal fluids. Additionally, measurements were performed on outcrops, hand samples and paleomagnetic cores to constrain the physical properties (density, magnetic susceptibility and magnetic remanence) of local geology. Together, these data help resolve basin geometry and delineate concealed faults and contacts, informing our understanding of the structural framework and geothermal resource potential of southern Summer Lake valley.

Study Area

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Characterizing structure in southern Summer Lake valley, Oregon using ground- and sUAS-based potential field geophysics
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Stanford University
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 16 p.
Conference Title 49th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
Conference Location Stanford, CA
Conference Date February 12-14, 2024
Country United States
State Oregon
Other Geospatial Summer Lake
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details