Miller and others (1953) and Tischler and others (1960) reported that Patua Hot Springs consists of four boiling springs and two mud domes in Sec. 18,T20N, R26E, about 6 km northwest of Hazen. As of 1979, only one published analysis was known from the springs, so the springs were visited in May 2002 and samples collected. Numerous springs and seeps (including cold seeps) occur in a large swampy area, and temperatures of the thermal waters ranged from 28 to 95.5°C, measured in 13 discrete springs. Three samples were collected in 2002. The chalcedony temperature is 130°C, whereas the Na-K-Ca geothermometer indicates 178°C. The TCID canal is a possible source of mixing water for the Hazen hot spring waters; it is only 2 km away and has been contributing to the groundwater through seepage for 100 years. Additional water chemistry data were reported by Rowe and others (1991).
In 1961 Magma Power Co. drilled three shallow cable-tool exploratory wells in the area. These were reportedly 92 to 229(?) m deep, with temperatures above 135°C (Koenig, 1971; B.C. McCabe, written com.). Chalcedony geothermometers using samples collected in 2002 indicate possible reservoir temperatures of about 140°C, whereas the Na-K-Ca geothermometer indicates temperatures up to 177°C. With current binary technologies, the thermal aquifer in the Hazen area could likely be used for electrical power generation if sufficient permeabilities and flows could be demonstrated.
Photos
Close-up of hot spring with Chris Sladek and Greg Arehart collecting samples.
Close up of the hot spring showing sampling for noble gases.
Hot spring in the foreground, with mountains in the distance.
Group near hot spring sampling for noble gases (Thijs van Soest (LBNL) holding pole).
Close up of the spring during sample collection.
Hot Spring (61°C) at Hazen.
Hot springs (41-67°C) at Hazen showing gas discharge.
Sampling a hot spring (36°C) at Hazen.
Sampling a hot spring (83°C) at Hazen.
Sampling a hot spring (84.2°C) at Hazen. Visible gas discharge.
Close up of hot seep (95.5°C) at Hazen.
Close up of hot seep (95.1°C) at Hazen
Close up of hot spring (71.6°C), showing precipitates.
First panel in a panorama of the Hazen Hot Springs area.
Second panel in a panorama of the Hazen Hot Springs area.
Third panel in a panorama of the Hazen Hot Springs area.
Fourth panel in a panorama of the Hazen Hot Springs area.
Hot spring at Hazen.