Seismic data were collected in southwestern New Mexico to investigate the sources of the geothermal anomalies and to investigate the potential earthquake hazards of geothermal development. No major crustal structure anomalies have been located related to known geothermal resources, and no areas of continual seismicity have been identified, which is interpreted to indicate a lack of active, or recently active crustal intrusions in southwestern New Mexico. Without a magnetic heat source, the geothermal potential of the known anomalies is probably limited to intermediate and low temperature applications (<180/sup 0/C). The lack of continual seismicity indicates low seismic hazard in the area directly related to geothermal development, although the historic and geologically recent tectonic activity should be taken into consideration during any development in the area. A model of forced groundwater convection is presented to explain the geothermal anomalies in southwestern New Mexico, which is consistent with all available geological and geophysical data from the area.

Observed apparent resistivity data in ohm-meters, standard error data in ohm-meters, and number of observations are tabulated. (JGB)

The data presented are referenced to a gravity base station in Denio, Nevada at the Post Office, 50 meters south of the Oregon-Nevada State line, 1.6 meters south of the door in the southeast corner of the concrete porch, near the mailbox. Site is monumented with a ''USAF Gravity Station'' disc (A.C.I.C. reference number 2352-1). Base value is 979945.94.

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