Description
Reviews the known geologic data of the San Luis Basin and relates it to an understanding of the hydrogeothermal potential of the Alamosa-Monte Vista area, Alamosa and Rio Grande Counties. Includes reviews of the physiographic setting and the structural framework and cross sections. 30 pages. 8 figures. 1 table. 1 plate. Digital PDF download. SP-17D
From the Introduction:
The objective of this report is to review the known geologic data of the San Luis Basin and to relate it to an understanding of the hydrogeothermal potential of the Alamosa-Monte Vista area. The report reviews the physiographic setting of the region; the structural framework of the basin and its influence on the stratigraphic makeup of the rock sequence, which in turn control the occurrence of potential deep water reservoirs. It is here suggested that the San Luis Basin was well-developed by Miocene time; and that although the basin was modified by Neogene faulting, it is essentially a late Laramide event having been produced during the Paleogene. Attention is also given to high heat flow along the Rio Grande Rift and to the geothermal gradient of the San Luis Basin. The “confined” aquifer is then considered in respect to its hydrogeology, water quality, and as to the legal aspects of the system.
