Faults bounding the Geysers Geothermal Complex

Just as the Bartlett Springs and Maacama faults are the major bounding faults of the Clear Lake volcanic field, the Collayami (purple) and Maacama (green) faults bound the Geysers Geothermal Field. The “Geysers” are a collection of powerplants managed by the Calpine Corporation that utilize heat at depth in the Earth to generate steam, which in turn is used to turn turbines and create power. Wastewater from local communities is pumped deep into the ground, where it is heated and converted to steam. The Geysers provides power to these local communities. And is actually the largest developed geothermal field in the world! The transform faults found on either side of the field are an important part of the tectonic environment that keeps this area much hotter than surrounding area in California.