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.
Drew L Siler
Drew Siler is a Research Geologist and Mendenhall Fellow at the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He received a B.S. in Earth and Space Science from University of Washington in 2005 and a Ph.D. in Geology from Syracuse University in 2011. Presently, his research focuses on understanding the role of fault systems and conduits for geothermal circulation.
Biography
Dr. Drew Siler has devoted his career to structural geology and tectonics and specializes in Geothermal Systems.
His past research focused on magmatic rifts, mid-ocean ridges, and ophiolite complexes, applying geologic mapping and structural analysis in order to characterize volcanic construction and tectonic deformation processes in magmatic rifts and mid-ocean ridge systems.
Drew's current research is focused on the use of geologic and geophysical data in order to characterize fault systems in 3-dimensions. This includes geologic mapping and working with a wide variety of data sets including drill cuttings and core, subsurface temperature data, seismic reflection data, potential-field geophysical data, diffuse degassing measurements along faults, helium isotope data, 3D geologic modeling, and structural analyses. His research applies these tools and techniques to evaluate permeability distribution in fault systems and characterizing the geologic controls of fluid flow in geothermal systems.
Professional Experience:
- 2016-Present, Research Affiliate, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- 2016-Present, Research Geologist and Mendenhall Fellow, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
- 2013-2016, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- 2011-2013, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
- 2011 Post Doctoral Fellow, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Education:
- Ph.D., Geology, Syracuse University, 2011
- B.Sc., Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, 2005
Affiliations:
- 2011-Present, Geothermal Resources Council
- 2006-Present, American Geophysical Union
- 2006-Present, Geological Society of America
- 2016-Present, Women in Geothermal
Non-USGS Partners:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
- Utah State University
- Colorado School of Mines
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Boise State University
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
- Sandia National Lab
- U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office
- Itasca Consulting Group
- Innovate Geothermal
- Ormat Technologies
Science and Products
Year Published: 2020
Play fairway analysis in geothermal exploration: The Snake River plain volcanic province
The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) has long been considered a target for geothermal development. It overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle and represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America, but systematic exploration been hindered by lack of a conceptual model. Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) is a...
Shervais, John W.; Glen, Jonathan M.G.; Siler, Drew L.; Liberty, Lee; Nielson, Dennis; Garg, Sabodh; Dobson, Patrick; Gasperikova, Erika; Sonnenthal, Eric; Newell, Dennis; Evans, James E.; DeAngelo, Jacob; Peacock, Jared R.; Earney, Tait E.; Schermerhorn, William D.; Neupane, Ghanashyam
Year Published: 2019
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...
Siler, Drew L.; James E. Faulds; Glen, Jonathan M.G.; Nicholas H. Hinz; Witter, Jeffrey B.; Kelly Blake; John Queen; Mark FortunaView Citation
Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., Glen, J.M.G., Hinz, N.H., Witter, J.B., Blake, K., Queen, J., and Fortuna, M., 2019, Three-dimensional geologic map of the southern Carson Sink, Nevada, including the Fallon FORGE area: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3437, pamphlet 22 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3437.
Year Published: 2019
Can geologic factors be predictive for distinguishing between productive and non-productive geothermal wells?
Geologic data are examined to evaluate whether certain geologic characteristics occur in higher abundance or higher magnitude along production geothermal wells relative to non-productive wells. We perform 3D geologic mapping, 3D stress modeling, and fault-slip modeling to estimate fourteen different geologic factors that are hypothesized to...
Siler, Drew L.; Burns, Erick; James E Faulds
Year Published: 2019
Integrating magnetotellurics, soil gas geochemistry and structural analysis to identify hidden, high enthalpy, extensional geothermal systems
We applied magnetotellurics (MT), diagnostic structural affiliations, soil gas flux, and fluid geochemistry to assist in identifying hidden, high-enthalpy geothermal systems in extensional regimes of the U.S. Great Basin. We are specifically looking for high-angle, low-resistivity zones and dilatant geologic structures that can carry fluids from...
Philip E. Wannamaker; James E Faulds; B. Mack Kennedy; Virginie Maris; Siler, Drew L.; Craig Ulrich; Moore, Joseph
Year Published: 2019
Three-dimensional geologic mapping to assess geothermal potential: Examples from Nevada and Oregon
Geologic structure plays an important role in controlling fluid flow in geothermal systems. In particular, very complex structural settings, consisting of many closely spaced and intersecting faults, host many geothermal systems. To elucidate the key geologic factors that affect fault-controlled geothermal circulation, it is critical to precisely...
Siler, Drew L.; Faulds, James E.; Hinz, Nicholas H.; Dering, Gregory M.; Edwards, Joel H.; Mayhew, Brett
Year Published: 2019
Uncertainty and risk evaluation during the exploration stage of geothermal development: A review
Quantifying and representing uncertainty for geothermal systems is often ignored, in practice, during the exploration phase of a geothermal development project. We propose that this occurs potentially because the task seems so formidable. The primary goal of this paper is to initiate a dialogue within the geothermal community about: which...
Witter, Jeffrey B.; Trainor-Guitton, Whitney J.; Siler, Drew L.
Year Published: 2018
Which geologic factors control permeability development in geothermal systems? The geologic structure of Dixie Valley
Geothermal systems occur where subsurface permeability and temperature are sufficiently high to drive fluid circulation. In the Great Basin region of the United States, which hosts ~20% of domestic geothermal electricity generation capacity and much of the projected undeveloped and undiscovered resource, crustal heat flow is relatively high, so...
Siler, Drew L.; Glen, Jonathan M. G.
Year Published: 2018
New data yield new geologic insights at the Fallon FORGE site, Carson Sink Region, Nevada
The geologic structure beneath the Fallon Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site represents a record of the Mesozoic through Cenozoic tectonism, volcanism, and sedimentation that has affected the Carson Sink local to Fallon, NV. A robust dataset confirms that the lithologic sequence consists of Quaternary through...
Siler, Drew L.; Faulds, James E.; Glen, Jonathan M. G.; Witter, Jeffrey B.
Year Published: 2018
2D and 3D potential field mapping and modelling at the Fallon FORGE site, Nevada, USA
Accurate geological characterization of Fallon FORGE is important for preparing the site as an EGS laboratory. As part of this effort, a 3D geologic map was constructed previously from well logs, surface geologic mapping, 2D seismic profiles, interpreted gravity & magnetic maps, and a gravity-inferred basement surface. In this study, we have...
Witter, Jeffrey B.; Glen, Jonathan M. G.; Siler, Drew L.; Fournier, Dominique
Year Published: 2018
Discovery of a blind geothermal system in Southern Gabbs Valley, western Nevada, through application of the play fairway analysis at multiple scales
The Great Basin region is capable of generating much greater amounts of geothermal energy than currently produced. Most geothermal resources in this region are blind, and thus favorable characteristics for geothermal activity must be synthesized and methodologies developed to discover new commercial-grade systems. The geothermal play fairway...
Faulds, James E.; Craig, Jason W.; Hinz, Nicholas H.; Coolbaugh, Mark F.; Glen, Jonathan M.; Earney, Tait E.; Schermerhorn, William D.; Peacock, Jared R.; Deoreo, Stephen B.; Siler, Drew L.
Year Published: 2018
Stress concentrations at structural discontinuities in active fault zones in the western United States: Implications for permeability and fluid flow in geothermal fields
Slip can induce concentration of stresses at discontinuities along fault systems. These structural discontinuities, i.e., fault terminations, fault step-overs, intersections, bends, and other fault interaction areas, are known to host fluid flow in ore deposition systems, oil and gas reservoirs, and geothermal systems. We modeled stress transfer...
Siler, Drew L.; Hinz, Nicholas H.; Faulds, James E.
Year Published: 2014
Uncertainty and risk evaluation during the exploration stage of geothermal development
Quantifying and representing uncertainty for geothermal systems is often ignored, in practice, during the exploration phase of a geothermal development project. We propose that this occurs potentially because the task seems so formidable. The primary goal of this paper is to initiate a dialogue within the geothermal community about: which...
Witter, Jeffrey B.; Trainor-Guitton, Whitney J.; Siler, Drew L.Pre-USGS Publications
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.
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