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Determining the circulation depth of thermal springs in the southern Rocky Mountain Trench, south-eastern British Columbia, Canada using geothermometry and borehole temperature logs

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Abstract

Geochemical data for thermal spring waters along the southern Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia, Canada were examined. The range of equilibration temperatures for the thermal springs is between 24 and 59°C, assuming that there is minimal mixing with colder shallow waters that might lead to a lowering of the calculated equilibration temperature. The chalcedony geothermometer is found to be the most appropriate given the carbonate host rocks. Temperature logs from 11 boreholes in the vicinity were used to calculate representative geothermal gradients, which range from 23.8 to 55.7°C/km with an average of 24.8±8.0°C/km. Using the average gradient and the range of equilibration temperatures calculated for each spring, the minimum range for the depth of origin of the thermal waters is 0.9–2.2 km. Heat flow values range from 90.3 to 155 mW/m2, with an average of 109.1±21.0 mW/m2. The moderate to high heat flow and heat generation result in generally higher temperatures at shallow depths, thus offering an explanation for the occurrence of thermal springs. The alignment of the thermal springs likely relates to the preferred northwest–southeast orientation for major thrust faults along the Rocky Mountain Trench, and with waters routed from depth along deep faults.

Résumé

Les données géothermiques de sources thermales le long de la partie sud du fossé des Montagnes Rocheuses en Colombie Britannique, Canada, sont étudiées. L’échelle des températures d’équilibre des sources thermales se situe entre 24 et 59°C, en assumant qu’il y a un mélange minimum avec les eaux froides de surface, ce qui conduit à une sous-évaluation de la température d’équilibre. La calcédoine apparaît être le géothermomètre le plus approprié vu les roches hôtes carbonatées. Les diagraphies de température provenant de 11 forages proches ont été utilisées pour calculer le gradient géothermique représentatif, gradient compris entre 23.8 et 55.7°/km avec une moyenne de 24.8°/km. En utilisant le gradient moyen et les valeurs de température d’équilibre calculées pour chaque source, la profondeur minimum des eaux thermales se situerait entre 0.9 et 2.2 km. Les flux de chaleur sont évalués entre 90.3 et 155 mW/m, avec une moyenne de 109.1±21.0 mW/m. Le transfert moyen de chaleur et la génération de chaleur résulte en températures ordinairement plus élevées aux faibles profondeurs, qui ainsi offre une explication à l’occurrence de sources thermales. Les alignements de sources thermales sont vraisemblablement en relation avec l’orientation Nord-Sud des principales failles-vraies le long du fossé des Montagnes Rocheuses, et avec l’écoulement des eaux des profondeurs le long des failles.

Resumen

Se examinan datos geoquímicos de aguas de fuentes termales a lo largo de la Trinchera sur de las Montañas Rocosas en Columbia Británica, Canadá. El rango de temperaturas de equilibrio para las fuentes termales se encuentra entre 24 y 59°C, asumiendo que existe mezcla mínima con aguas someras más frías que podrían conducir a un descenso de la temperatura de equilibrio calculada. El geotermómetro de calcedonia se ha encontrado que es el más apropiado debido a las rocas encajonantes carbonatadas. Se utilizaron los registros de temperatura de 11 pozos de la zona para calcular gradientes geotermales representativos, los cuales varían de 23.8 a 55.7°C/km con un promedio de 24.8±8.0°C/km. Utilizando el gradiente promedio y el rango de temperaturas de equilibrio calculadas para cada manantial, se estimó que el rango mínimo para la profundidad de origen de las aguas termales varía de 0.9 a 2.2 km. Los valores de flujo de calor varían de 90.3 a 155 mW/m2, con un promedio de 109.1±21.0 mW/m2. El flujo de calor moderado a alto y la generación de calor resultan en temperaturas generalmente más altas a profundidades someras ofreciendo de este modo una explicación para la ocurrencia de fuentes termales. El alineamiento de fuentes termales posiblemente se relaciona con la orientación preferida noroeste-sureste de fallas inversas principales a lo largo de la Trinchera de las Montañas Rocosas, y con aguas ascendentes profundas que se mueven a lo largo de fallas profundas.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the scientific contributions of Robert van Everdingen. We would also like to acknowledge the members of the Geothermal Group within the former Earth Physics Branch of Energy, Mines and Resources, Canada for their contributions to the Canadian geothermal database.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V3Y 2L4

    D. M. Allen & D. A. Voormeij

  2. Geological Survey of Canada, 3303 - 33rd Street, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2L 2A7

    S. E. Grasby

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  1. D. M. Allen
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  2. S. E. Grasby
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  3. D. A. Voormeij
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Correspondence to D. M. Allen.

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Allen, D.M., Grasby, S.E. & Voormeij, D.A. Determining the circulation depth of thermal springs in the southern Rocky Mountain Trench, south-eastern British Columbia, Canada using geothermometry and borehole temperature logs. Hydrogeol J 14, 159–172 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0428-z

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