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Fluid-inclusion evidence for previous higher temperatures in the Miravalles geothermal field, Costa Rica

January 1, 1988

Heating and freezing data were obtained for liquid-rich secondary fluid inclusions in magmatic quartz, hydrothermal calcite and hydrothermal quartz crystals from 19 sampled depths in eight production drill holes (PGM-1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 15) of the Miravalles geothermal field in northwestern Costa Rica. Homogenization temperatures for 386 fluid inclusions range from near the present measured temperatures to as much as 70°C higher than the maximum measured well temperature of about 240°C. Melting-point temperature measurements for 76 fluid inclusions suggest a calculated salinity range of about 0.2–1.9 wt% NaCl equivalent. Calculated salinities as high as 3.1–4.0 wt% NaCl equivalent for 20 fluid inclusions from the lower part of drill hole PGM-15 (the deepest drill hole) indicate that higher salinity water probably was present in the deeper part of the Miravalles geothermal field at the time these fluid inclusions were formed.

Publication Year 1988
Title Fluid-inclusion evidence for previous higher temperatures in the Miravalles geothermal field, Costa Rica
DOI 10.1016/0375-6505(88)90030-2
Authors K.E. Bargar, R.O. Fournier
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geothermics
Index ID 70014375
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse