MS-51 Interpretive Geothermal Gradient Map of Colorado

This publication depicts the change in temperature with depth below the Earth’s surface throughout Colorado. Geothermal gradient values quantify the depth-temperature relationship used in evaluating geothermal resource potential. Geothermal gradient data are one of several types of data that indicate the quality of geothermal resources in an area. Other data types that are useful in assessing geothermal resources include geothermal heat flow, geothermometry, geophysical data (electrical, magnetic, magnetotelluric, gravity, remote sensing), and shallow-depth ground temperature measurements.

The geothermal gradient data is from several sources including past CGS geothermal publications, national and global heat flow databases, and Colorado oil, gas and CO2 well data. Despite the abundant data used to create this map, the data points are distributed irregularly throughout the state. Some map areas lack significant data control and, therefore, are for geothermal resource exploration, especially when used in conjunction with other types of geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological data. Includes three map plates, two report documents, a geothermal gradient database, and GIS geospatial data files that the interpretive geothermal gradient maps and projected temperature-at-depth maps were created from. Digital ZIP download. MS-51D