Drew L Siler (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Stress transfer modeling of Great Basin, USA structural discontinuities; Data and MATLAB functions (ver. 1.1, June 2023)
This digital dataset contains the stress transfer modeling code (MATLAB functions) and folder tree needed to calculate stress transfer modeling on ten different common structural settings for hydrothermal systems in the Great Basin. Some of these functions were written or adapted from other published work. When this is the case the citation/location of the original code is noted in the comments. T
Stratigraphic and fault surfaces from the Three-Dimensional Geologic Map of the southeastern Gabbs Valley Geothermal Area
This digital dataset represents the 3D fault and stratigraphic surfaces of the three dimensional geologic map of the southeastern Gabbs Valley, Nevada. The data define the easting, northing, and elevations (meters, NAD 83 Zone 11N) of points that define the top and bottom contacts of stratigraphic units and fault surfaces.
Shapefile for slip tendency and dilation tendency calculated for Quaternary faults in the Great Basin
This database contains the results of slip tendency and dilation tendency analysis of Quaternary faults in the Great Basin region, including parts of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. This effort was undertaken to help identify faults and fault segments that are appropriately oriented to be stress-loaded for slip or to dilate under the ambient stress conditions. Both c
Geophysical characterization of geothermal resources on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon
During the summers of 2017 and 2020, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses), paleomagnetic and rock property (density and susceptibility) data on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) in northeast Oregon to aid in characterizing subsurface stratigraphy using 2D and 3D modeling methods. This data was integrated with conductance surfaces from a 3D magnetotelluic model
Magnetotelluric Data from the Gabbs Valley Region, Nevada, 2020
This data set consists of 59 wideband magnetotelluric (MT) stations collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in July and August of 2020 as part of a 1-year project funded by the Energy Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey to demonstrate full crustal control on geothermal systems in the Great Basin. Each station had 5 components, 3 orthogonal magnetic induction coils and 2 horizontal orth
USGS Contributions to the Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956): Slip and Dilation Tendency Data
This package contains data in a portion of northern Nevada, the extent of the ?Nevada Machine Learning Project? (DE-EE0008762). Slip tendency (TS) and dilation tendency (TD) were calculated for the all the faults in the Nevada ML study area. TS is the ratio between the shear components of the stress tensor and the normal components of the stress tensor acting on a fault plane. TD is the ratio of a
USGS Contributions to the Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956): Geophysics, Heat Flow, Slip and Dilation Tendency
This package contains USGS data contributions to the DOE-funded Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956), with the objective of developing a machine learning approach to identifying new geothermal systems in the Great Basin. This package contains three major data products (geophysics, heat flow, and fault dilation and slip tendencies) that cover a large portion of northern Nevad
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 2 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 2 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Phase 2 examines two subset areas of the Phase 1 study area, Mountain Home and Camas Prairie. Brief descriptions of dat
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 1 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 1 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Brief descriptions of data layers are in the metadata of GIS files, greater detail is available in the Larger Work, the
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS Earth Mappi
Three-dimensional geologic map the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area, Nevada
This three-dimensional (3D) geologic map displays the subsurface geology in the upper ~4 kilometers of the Earth’s crust in the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area of west-central Nevada. The 3D map was constructed by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, 3D gravity inversion modeling, and potential-field-geophysical studies. This effort was undertaken as part of the Nevada
Three-dimensional geologic map of the Brady geothermal area, Nevada
The three-dimensional (3D) geologic map characterizes the subsurface in the Brady geothermal area in the northern Hot Springs Mountains of northwestern Nevada. We built the 3D map by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, seismic-reflection, potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging investigations completed in the study area. This effort was undertaken to investigat
Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area
The three-dimensional (3–D) geologic map characterizes the subsurface in the southern Carson Sink region. We created the 3–D map by integrating the results from seismic-reflection, potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging investigations completed in and around the Fallon FORGE site as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FOR
Filter Total Items: 27
Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis, Part 2: GIS methodology
Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) in geothermal exploration originates from a systematic methodology developed within the petroleum industry and is based on a geologic, geophysical, and hydrologic framework of identified geothermal systems. We tailored this methodology to study the geothermal resource potential of the Snake River Plain and surrounding region, but it can be adapted to other geothermal re
Authors
Jacob DeAngelo, John W. Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Dennis Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Lee M. Liberty, Drew Lorenz Siler, James P. Evans
Geothermal play fairway analysis, part 1: Example from the Snake River Plain, Idaho
The Snake River Plain (SRP) volcanic province overlies the track of the Yellowstone hotspot, a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle. Most of the area is underlain by a basaltic volcanic province that overlies a mid-crustal intrusive complex, which in turn provides the long-term heat flux needed to sustain geothermal systems. Previous studies have identified several known geothermal re
Authors
John W. Shervais, Jacob DeAngelo, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Dennis L. Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Lee M. Liberty, Dennis L. Newell, Drew Lorenz Siler, James P. Evans
Structural discontinuities and their control on hydrothermal systems in the Great Basin, USA
Faults are important controls on hydrothermal circulation worldwide. More specifically, structural discontinuities, i.e. locations where faults interact and intersect, host many hydrothermal systems. In the Great Basin, western USA, an extensive characterization effort demonstrated that hydrothermal systems are controlled by one (or more) of eight types of structural discontinuities. Presumably, s
Authors
Drew L. Siler
Exploratory analysis of machine learning techniques in the Nevada geothermal play fairway analysis
Play fairway analysis (PFA) is commonly used to generate geothermal potential maps and guide exploration studies, with a particular focus on locating and characterizing blind geothermal systems. This study evaluates the application of machine learning techniques to PFA in the Great Basin region of Nevada. Following the evaluation of various techniques, we identified two approaches to PFA that prod
Authors
Connor M. Smith, James E. Faulds, Stephen C. Brown, Mark Coolbaugh, Jacob DeAngelo, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Erick R. Burns, Drew Lorenz Siler, Sven Treitel, Eli Mlawsky, Michael Fehler, Chen Gu, Bridget F. Ayling
A geophysical characterization of structure and geology of the Northern Granite Springs Valley Geothermal System, Northwestern Nevada
The northern Granite Springs Valley in northwestern Nevada is the focus of recent studies for its potential for hosting undiscovered geothermal resources. Although the area lacks definitive surface manifestations of an active hydrothermal system, previous studies identify this region as having potential for hosting a blind geothermal resource, based on elevated subsurface temperatures and a favora
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, James Faulds, Jacob DeAngelo
Discovering hidden geothermal signatures using non-negative matrix factorization with customized k-means clustering
Discovery of hidden geothermal resources is challenging. It requires the mining of large datasets with diverse data attributes representing subsurface hydrogeological and geothermal conditions. The commonly used play fairway analysis approach typically incorporates subject-matter expertise to analyze regional data to estimate geothermal characteristics and favorability. We demonstrate an alternati
Authors
Velimir V. Vesselinov, Bulbul Ahmmed, Maruti K. Mudunuru, Jeff D. Pepin, Erick R. Burns, Drew L. Siler, Satish Karra, Richard S. Middleton
Advancing geophysical techniques to image a stratigraphic hydrothermal resource
Sedimentary-hosted geothermal energy systems are permeable structural, structural-stratigraphic, and/or stratigraphic horizons with sufficient temperature for direct use and/or electricity generation. Sedimentary-hosted (i.e., stratigraphic) geothermal reservoirs may be present in multiple locations across the central and eastern Great Basin of the USA, thereby constituting a potentially large bas
Authors
Paul Schwering, Carmen Winn, Piyoosh Jaysaval, Hunter Knox, Drew L. Siler, Christian Hardwick, Bridget Ayling, James Faulds, Elijah Mlawsky, Emma McConville, Jack Norbeck, Nicholas Hinz, Gabe Matson, John Queen
Modeling subsurface performance of a geothermal reservoir using machine learning
Geothermal power plants typically show decreasing heat and power production rates over time. Mitigation strategies include optimizing the management of existing wells—increasing or decreasing the fluid flow rates across the wells—and drilling new wells at appropriate locations. The latter is expensive, time-consuming, and subject to many engineering constraints, but the former is a viable mechanis
Authors
Dmitry Duplyakin, Koenraad F Beckers, Drew L. Siler, Michael J. Martin, Henry E. Johnston
Bottom-up and top-down control on hydrothermal resources in the Great Basin: An example from Gabbs Valley, Nevada
The Great Basin in the western United States hosts various hydrothermal systems, including both active geothermal systems and ancient systems preserved as mineral deposits. New magnetotelluric and structural geologic data were collected in the Gabbs Valley area of western Nevada to demonstrate the advantage of imaging the full crustal column below known hydrothermal systems. Three-dimensional mode
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Drew L. Siler
Machine learning to identify geologic factors associated with production in geothermal fields: A case-study using 3D geologic data, Brady geothermal field, Nevada
In this paper, we present an analysis using unsupervised machine learning (ML) to identify the key geologic factors that contribute to the geothermal production in Brady geothermal field. Brady is a hydrothermal system in northwestern Nevada that supports both electricity production and direct use of hydrothermal fluids. Transmissive fluid-flow pathways are relatively rare in the subsurface, but a
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jeff D. Pepin, Velimir V. Vesselinov, Maruti K. Mudunuru, Bulbul Ahmmed
Stochastic inversion of gravity, magnetic, tracer, lithology, and fault data for geologically realistic structural models: Patua Geothermal Field case study
Financial risk due to geological uncertainty is a major barrier for geothermal development. Production from a geothermal well depends on the unknown location of subsurface geological structures, such as faults that contain hydrothermal fluids. Traditionally, geoscientists collect many different datasets, interpret the datasets manually, and create a single model estimating faults' locations. This
Authors
Ahinoam Pollack, Trenton T. Cladouhos, Michael W. Swyer, Drew L. Siler, Tapan Mukerji, Roland N. Horne
3-D geologic controls of hydrothermal fluid flow at Brady geothermal field, Nevada, USA
In many hydrothermal systems, fracture permeability along faults provides pathways for groundwater to transport heat from depth. Faulting generates a range of deformation styles that cross-cut heterogeneous geology, resulting in complex patterns of permeability, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Vertical connectivity (a throughgoing network of permeable areas that allows advection of heat from
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jeff D. Pepin
Non-USGS Publications**
Siler, D.L., and Karson, J.A., 2017. Along-Axis Structure and Crustal Construction Processes of Spreading Segments in Iceland: Implications for Magamatic Rifts. Tectonics.
Siler, D.L., Yingqi Zhang, Nicolas F. Spycher, Patrick F. Dobson, James S. McClain, Erika Gasperikova Robert A. Zierenberg, Peter Schiffman, Colin Ferguson, Andrew Fowler, Carolyn Cantwell, 2017. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal resources and exploration risk in the Modoc Plateau region, Geothermics. 69, 15-33.
Siler, D.L., and Kennedy, B.M., 2016. Regional crustal-scale structures as conduits for deep geothermal upflow, Geothermics, 59A, 27-37.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E. Mayhew, B., and McNamara, D., 2016. Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA, Geothermics, 60, 1-12.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2012. Sub-volcanic subsidence and caldera formation during sub aerial seafloor spreading in Iceland, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 124, no. 7-8, p. 1310-1323.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2009. Three-dimensional structure of inclined sheet swarms: Implications for crustal thickening and subsidence in the volcanic rift zones of Iceland, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 188, 333–346
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Stress transfer modeling of Great Basin, USA structural discontinuities; Data and MATLAB functions (ver. 1.1, June 2023)
This digital dataset contains the stress transfer modeling code (MATLAB functions) and folder tree needed to calculate stress transfer modeling on ten different common structural settings for hydrothermal systems in the Great Basin. Some of these functions were written or adapted from other published work. When this is the case the citation/location of the original code is noted in the comments. T
Stratigraphic and fault surfaces from the Three-Dimensional Geologic Map of the southeastern Gabbs Valley Geothermal Area
This digital dataset represents the 3D fault and stratigraphic surfaces of the three dimensional geologic map of the southeastern Gabbs Valley, Nevada. The data define the easting, northing, and elevations (meters, NAD 83 Zone 11N) of points that define the top and bottom contacts of stratigraphic units and fault surfaces.
Shapefile for slip tendency and dilation tendency calculated for Quaternary faults in the Great Basin
This database contains the results of slip tendency and dilation tendency analysis of Quaternary faults in the Great Basin region, including parts of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. This effort was undertaken to help identify faults and fault segments that are appropriately oriented to be stress-loaded for slip or to dilate under the ambient stress conditions. Both c
Geophysical characterization of geothermal resources on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon
During the summers of 2017 and 2020, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses), paleomagnetic and rock property (density and susceptibility) data on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) in northeast Oregon to aid in characterizing subsurface stratigraphy using 2D and 3D modeling methods. This data was integrated with conductance surfaces from a 3D magnetotelluic model
Magnetotelluric Data from the Gabbs Valley Region, Nevada, 2020
This data set consists of 59 wideband magnetotelluric (MT) stations collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in July and August of 2020 as part of a 1-year project funded by the Energy Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey to demonstrate full crustal control on geothermal systems in the Great Basin. Each station had 5 components, 3 orthogonal magnetic induction coils and 2 horizontal orth
USGS Contributions to the Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956): Slip and Dilation Tendency Data
This package contains data in a portion of northern Nevada, the extent of the ?Nevada Machine Learning Project? (DE-EE0008762). Slip tendency (TS) and dilation tendency (TD) were calculated for the all the faults in the Nevada ML study area. TS is the ratio between the shear components of the stress tensor and the normal components of the stress tensor acting on a fault plane. TD is the ratio of a
USGS Contributions to the Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956): Geophysics, Heat Flow, Slip and Dilation Tendency
This package contains USGS data contributions to the DOE-funded Nevada Geothermal Machine Learning Project (DE-FOA-0001956), with the objective of developing a machine learning approach to identifying new geothermal systems in the Great Basin. This package contains three major data products (geophysics, heat flow, and fault dilation and slip tendencies) that cover a large portion of northern Nevad
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 2 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 2 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Phase 2 examines two subset areas of the Phase 1 study area, Mountain Home and Camas Prairie. Brief descriptions of dat
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 1 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 1 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Brief descriptions of data layers are in the metadata of GIS files, greater detail is available in the Larger Work, the
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS Earth Mappi
Three-dimensional geologic map the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area, Nevada
This three-dimensional (3D) geologic map displays the subsurface geology in the upper ~4 kilometers of the Earth’s crust in the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area of west-central Nevada. The 3D map was constructed by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, 3D gravity inversion modeling, and potential-field-geophysical studies. This effort was undertaken as part of the Nevada
Three-dimensional geologic map of the Brady geothermal area, Nevada
The three-dimensional (3D) geologic map characterizes the subsurface in the Brady geothermal area in the northern Hot Springs Mountains of northwestern Nevada. We built the 3D map by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, seismic-reflection, potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging investigations completed in the study area. This effort was undertaken to investigat
Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area
The three-dimensional (3–D) geologic map characterizes the subsurface in the southern Carson Sink region. We created the 3–D map by integrating the results from seismic-reflection, potential-field-geophysical, and lithologic well-logging investigations completed in and around the Fallon FORGE site as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FOR
Filter Total Items: 27
Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis, Part 2: GIS methodology
Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) in geothermal exploration originates from a systematic methodology developed within the petroleum industry and is based on a geologic, geophysical, and hydrologic framework of identified geothermal systems. We tailored this methodology to study the geothermal resource potential of the Snake River Plain and surrounding region, but it can be adapted to other geothermal re
Authors
Jacob DeAngelo, John W. Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Dennis Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Lee M. Liberty, Drew Lorenz Siler, James P. Evans
Geothermal play fairway analysis, part 1: Example from the Snake River Plain, Idaho
The Snake River Plain (SRP) volcanic province overlies the track of the Yellowstone hotspot, a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle. Most of the area is underlain by a basaltic volcanic province that overlies a mid-crustal intrusive complex, which in turn provides the long-term heat flux needed to sustain geothermal systems. Previous studies have identified several known geothermal re
Authors
John W. Shervais, Jacob DeAngelo, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Dennis L. Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Lee M. Liberty, Dennis L. Newell, Drew Lorenz Siler, James P. Evans
Structural discontinuities and their control on hydrothermal systems in the Great Basin, USA
Faults are important controls on hydrothermal circulation worldwide. More specifically, structural discontinuities, i.e. locations where faults interact and intersect, host many hydrothermal systems. In the Great Basin, western USA, an extensive characterization effort demonstrated that hydrothermal systems are controlled by one (or more) of eight types of structural discontinuities. Presumably, s
Authors
Drew L. Siler
Exploratory analysis of machine learning techniques in the Nevada geothermal play fairway analysis
Play fairway analysis (PFA) is commonly used to generate geothermal potential maps and guide exploration studies, with a particular focus on locating and characterizing blind geothermal systems. This study evaluates the application of machine learning techniques to PFA in the Great Basin region of Nevada. Following the evaluation of various techniques, we identified two approaches to PFA that prod
Authors
Connor M. Smith, James E. Faulds, Stephen C. Brown, Mark Coolbaugh, Jacob DeAngelo, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Erick R. Burns, Drew Lorenz Siler, Sven Treitel, Eli Mlawsky, Michael Fehler, Chen Gu, Bridget F. Ayling
A geophysical characterization of structure and geology of the Northern Granite Springs Valley Geothermal System, Northwestern Nevada
The northern Granite Springs Valley in northwestern Nevada is the focus of recent studies for its potential for hosting undiscovered geothermal resources. Although the area lacks definitive surface manifestations of an active hydrothermal system, previous studies identify this region as having potential for hosting a blind geothermal resource, based on elevated subsurface temperatures and a favora
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, James Faulds, Jacob DeAngelo
Discovering hidden geothermal signatures using non-negative matrix factorization with customized k-means clustering
Discovery of hidden geothermal resources is challenging. It requires the mining of large datasets with diverse data attributes representing subsurface hydrogeological and geothermal conditions. The commonly used play fairway analysis approach typically incorporates subject-matter expertise to analyze regional data to estimate geothermal characteristics and favorability. We demonstrate an alternati
Authors
Velimir V. Vesselinov, Bulbul Ahmmed, Maruti K. Mudunuru, Jeff D. Pepin, Erick R. Burns, Drew L. Siler, Satish Karra, Richard S. Middleton
Advancing geophysical techniques to image a stratigraphic hydrothermal resource
Sedimentary-hosted geothermal energy systems are permeable structural, structural-stratigraphic, and/or stratigraphic horizons with sufficient temperature for direct use and/or electricity generation. Sedimentary-hosted (i.e., stratigraphic) geothermal reservoirs may be present in multiple locations across the central and eastern Great Basin of the USA, thereby constituting a potentially large bas
Authors
Paul Schwering, Carmen Winn, Piyoosh Jaysaval, Hunter Knox, Drew L. Siler, Christian Hardwick, Bridget Ayling, James Faulds, Elijah Mlawsky, Emma McConville, Jack Norbeck, Nicholas Hinz, Gabe Matson, John Queen
Modeling subsurface performance of a geothermal reservoir using machine learning
Geothermal power plants typically show decreasing heat and power production rates over time. Mitigation strategies include optimizing the management of existing wells—increasing or decreasing the fluid flow rates across the wells—and drilling new wells at appropriate locations. The latter is expensive, time-consuming, and subject to many engineering constraints, but the former is a viable mechanis
Authors
Dmitry Duplyakin, Koenraad F Beckers, Drew L. Siler, Michael J. Martin, Henry E. Johnston
Bottom-up and top-down control on hydrothermal resources in the Great Basin: An example from Gabbs Valley, Nevada
The Great Basin in the western United States hosts various hydrothermal systems, including both active geothermal systems and ancient systems preserved as mineral deposits. New magnetotelluric and structural geologic data were collected in the Gabbs Valley area of western Nevada to demonstrate the advantage of imaging the full crustal column below known hydrothermal systems. Three-dimensional mode
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Drew L. Siler
Machine learning to identify geologic factors associated with production in geothermal fields: A case-study using 3D geologic data, Brady geothermal field, Nevada
In this paper, we present an analysis using unsupervised machine learning (ML) to identify the key geologic factors that contribute to the geothermal production in Brady geothermal field. Brady is a hydrothermal system in northwestern Nevada that supports both electricity production and direct use of hydrothermal fluids. Transmissive fluid-flow pathways are relatively rare in the subsurface, but a
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jeff D. Pepin, Velimir V. Vesselinov, Maruti K. Mudunuru, Bulbul Ahmmed
Stochastic inversion of gravity, magnetic, tracer, lithology, and fault data for geologically realistic structural models: Patua Geothermal Field case study
Financial risk due to geological uncertainty is a major barrier for geothermal development. Production from a geothermal well depends on the unknown location of subsurface geological structures, such as faults that contain hydrothermal fluids. Traditionally, geoscientists collect many different datasets, interpret the datasets manually, and create a single model estimating faults' locations. This
Authors
Ahinoam Pollack, Trenton T. Cladouhos, Michael W. Swyer, Drew L. Siler, Tapan Mukerji, Roland N. Horne
3-D geologic controls of hydrothermal fluid flow at Brady geothermal field, Nevada, USA
In many hydrothermal systems, fracture permeability along faults provides pathways for groundwater to transport heat from depth. Faulting generates a range of deformation styles that cross-cut heterogeneous geology, resulting in complex patterns of permeability, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Vertical connectivity (a throughgoing network of permeable areas that allows advection of heat from
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jeff D. Pepin
Non-USGS Publications**
Siler, D.L., and Karson, J.A., 2017. Along-Axis Structure and Crustal Construction Processes of Spreading Segments in Iceland: Implications for Magamatic Rifts. Tectonics.
Siler, D.L., Yingqi Zhang, Nicolas F. Spycher, Patrick F. Dobson, James S. McClain, Erika Gasperikova Robert A. Zierenberg, Peter Schiffman, Colin Ferguson, Andrew Fowler, Carolyn Cantwell, 2017. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal resources and exploration risk in the Modoc Plateau region, Geothermics. 69, 15-33.
Siler, D.L., and Kennedy, B.M., 2016. Regional crustal-scale structures as conduits for deep geothermal upflow, Geothermics, 59A, 27-37.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E. Mayhew, B., and McNamara, D., 2016. Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA, Geothermics, 60, 1-12.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2012. Sub-volcanic subsidence and caldera formation during sub aerial seafloor spreading in Iceland, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 124, no. 7-8, p. 1310-1323.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2009. Three-dimensional structure of inclined sheet swarms: Implications for crustal thickening and subsidence in the volcanic rift zones of Iceland, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 188, 333–346
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government