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Hot springs of the central Sierra Nevada, California

Open-File Report 77-559
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr77559

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Abstract

Thermal springs of the central Sierra Nevada issue dilute to slightly saline sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium mixed-anion waters ranging in pH from 6.4 to 9.3. The solubility of chalcedony appears to control the silica concentration in most of the spring waters. Fales Hot Springs may be associated with a higher temperature aquifer, 150 degrees Celsius or more, in which quartz is controlling the silica concentration. Carbon dioxide is the predominant gas escaping from Fales Hot Springs, the unnamed hot spring on the south side of Mono Lake, and the two thermal springs near Bridgeport. Most of the other thermal springs issue small amounts of gas consisting principally of nitrogen. Methane is the major component of the gas escaping from the unnamed spring on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. The deuterium and oxygen isotopic composition of most of the thermal waters are those expected for local meteoric water which has undergone minor water-rock reaction. The only exceptions are the hot spring on Paoha Island in Mono Lake and perhaps the unnamed warm spring (south side of Mono Lake) which issues mixtures of thermal water and saline lake water. (Woodard-USGS)

Suggested Citation

Mariner, R.H., Presser, T.S., Evans, W.C., 1977, Hot springs of the central Sierra Nevada, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-559, iii, 27 leaves :ill., map ;27 cm.; (37 p. - PGS), https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr77559.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hot springs of the central Sierra Nevada, California
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 77-559
DOI 10.3133/ofr77559
Year Published 1977
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description iii, 27 leaves :ill., map ;27 cm.; (37 p. - PGS)
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