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Publications

USGS has a long history of interdisciplinary research in the Salton Sea basin. Browse the publications below for more information about our research.

Filter Total Items: 130

Trace elements and pesticides in Salton Sea area, California Trace elements and pesticides in Salton Sea area, California

Concentrations of numerous potentially toxic trace elements and pesticides were determined in water, sediment, and biota from the Salton Sea area in southestern California. Comparison of results with data from other studies in this area and from other areas, and with various water-quality standards or criteria, indicate that selenium probably is the principal contaminant of concern in...
Authors
Roy A. Schroeder, James G. Setmire, John C. Wolfe

Aerial views of the San Andreas Fault Aerial views of the San Andreas Fault

These aerial photographs of the San Andreas fault were taken in 1965 by Robert E. Wallace of the U.S Geological Survey. The pictures were taken with a Rolliflex camera on 20 format black and white flim; Wallace was aboard a light, fixed-wing aircraft, flying mostly at low altitudes. He photographed the fault from San Francisco near its north end where it enters by the Salton Sea. These...
Authors
M. Moore

Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Program Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Program

This article briefly describes the progress of drilling in the Salton Sea to depths exceeding 10 000 ft (3050 m) in the search for geothermal energy supplies. -A.Scarth
Authors
J.H. Sass

Chemistry and geothermometry of brine produced from the Salton Sea Scientific drill hole, Imperial Valley, California Chemistry and geothermometry of brine produced from the Salton Sea Scientific drill hole, Imperial Valley, California

The December 29–30, 1985, flow test of the State 2–14 well, also known as the Salton Sea Scientific drill hole, produced fluid from a depth of 1865–1877 m at a reservoir temperature of 305° ± 5°C. Another flow test at a depth of 3170 m produced brine contaminated by drilling fluid and diesel oil. Therefore we focus on the first flow test. Samples were collected at five different flashing...
Authors
J. M. Thompson, R.O. Fournier

Preliminary report on geophysical well-logging activity on the Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project, Imperial Valley, California Preliminary report on geophysical well-logging activity on the Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project, Imperial Valley, California

The Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project has culminated in a 10,564-ft deep test well, State 2-14 well, in the Imperial Valley of southern California. A comprehensive scientific program of drilling, coring, and downhole measurements, which was conducted for about 5 months, has obtained much scientific information concerning the physical and chemical processes associated with an active
Authors
Frederick L. Paillet, R. H. Morin, H.E. Hodges

SALTON SEA SCIENTIFIC DRILLING PROJECT: SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM. SALTON SEA SCIENTIFIC DRILLING PROJECT: SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM.

The Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project, was spudded on 24 October 1985, and reached a total depth of 10,564 ft. (3. 2 km) on 17 March 1986. There followed a period of logging, a flow test, and downhole scientific measurements. The scientific goals were integrated smoothly with the engineering and economic objectives of the program and the ideal of 'science driving the drill' in...
Authors
J.H. Sass, W.A. Elders

Instability model for recurring large and great earthquakes in southern California Instability model for recurring large and great earthquakes in southern California

The locked section of the San Andreas fault in southern California has experienced a number of large and great earthquakes in the past, and thus is expected to have more in the future. To estimate the location, time, and slip of the next few earthquakes, an earthquake instability model is formulated. The model is similar to one recently developed for moderate earthquakes on the San...
Authors
W.D. Stuart

The evolution of the southern California uplift, 1955 through 1976 The evolution of the southern California uplift, 1955 through 1976

The southern California uplift culminated in 1974 as a 150- km-wide crustal swell that extended about 600 km eastward and east-southeastward from Point Arguello to the Colorado River and Salton Sea, respectively; it was characterized by remarkably uniform height changes between 1959 and 1974 of 0.30-0.35 m over at least half of its 60,000-70,000 km2 area. At its zenith, the uplift...
Authors
Robert O. Castle, Michael R. Elliot, Jack P. Church, Spencer H. Wood

Water quality in the New River from Calexico to the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California Water quality in the New River from Calexico to the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California

The New River enters the United States at Calexico, Calif., after it crosses the international boundary. Water-quality data from routine collection indicated that the New River was degraded by high organic and bacterial content. Intensive sampling for chemical and physical constituents and properties of the river was done May 9-13, 1977, to quantify the chemical composition of the water...
Authors
James G. Setmire
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