Deep permeable fault–controlled helium transport and limited mantle flux in two extensional geothermal systems in the Great Basin, United States

This study assesses the relative importance of deeply circulating meteoric water and direct mantle fluid inputs on near-surface ³He/⁴He anomalies reported at the Coso and Beowawe geothermal fields of the western United States. The depth of meteoric fluid circulation is a critical factor that controls the temperature, extent of fluid-rock isotope exchange, and mixing with deeply sourced fluids containing mantle volatiles. The influence of mantle fluid flux on the reported helium anomalies appears to be negligible in both systems. This study illustrates the importance of deeply penetrating permeable fault zones (10⁻¹² to 10⁻¹⁵ m²) in focusing groundwater and mantle volatiles with high ³He/⁴He ratios to shallow crustal levels. These continental geothermal systems are driven by free convection.