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A series of tests on ckres taken from the Wairakei geothermal site in New Zealand are reported. The cores tests are representative of each of the four basic rock types significant to the functioning of the site. Ultrasonic velocity measurements were made for each rock type tk determine elastic moduli under simulated in situ conditions. Hydrostatic and triaxial deformation tests were performed on three samples of the aquifer rock to determine the effect of in situ stress on the elastic deformation moduli. Thermal conductivity was measured on all four rock types. Tabulation and graphical representation of the measured properties are included. All test procedures and apparatuses are described in detal. (MHR)

The present research effort at the Coso Geothermal Area located on the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, was concerned with: (1) heat flow studies and (2) microearthquake studies associated with the geothermal phenomena in the Coso Hot Springs area. The sites for ten heat flow boreholes were located primarily using the available seismic ground noise and electrical resistivity data. Difficulty was encountered in the drilling of all of the holes due to altered, porous, faulted, and sometime highly fractures zones. Thermal conductivity measurements were completed using both the needle probe technique and the divided bar apparatus with a cell arrangement. Heat flow values were obtaned by combining equilibrium temperature measurements with the appropriate thermal conductivity values. Heat, in the upper few hundred meters of the subsurface associated with the Coso Geothermal Area, is being transferred by a conductive heat transfer mechanism with a value of approximately 15 ..mu..cal/cm/sup 2/-sec. This is typical of geothermal systems throughout the world and is approximately ten times the normal terrestrial heat flow of 1.5 HFU. The background heat flow for the Coso region is about 3.5 HFU.

The commercial development potential of 13 underdeveloped geothermal prospects in the western United States has been examined and the prospects have been ranked in order of relative potential for development on the basis of investment considerations. The following were considered in the ranking: geotechnical and engineering data, energy market accessibility, administrative constraints, and environmental and socio-economic factors. The primary ranking criterion is the unit cost of energy production expected from each prospect. This criterion is obtained principally from expected reservoir temperatures and depths. Secondary criteria are administrative constraints, environmental factors and the quality of the geotechnical data. The Roosevelt, Utah, prospect ranks first in development potential followed in order by Beowawe, Nevada; Coso Hot Springs, California; Long Valley, California; and Brady's Hot Springs, Nevada.

The Workshop on Continental Drilling was convened to prepare a report for submission to the US Geodynamics Committee with respect to the contribution that could be made by land drilling to resolve major problems of geodynamics and consider the mechanisms by which the responsibility for scientific planning, establishment of priorities, administration, and budgeting for a land-drilling program within the framework of the aims of the Geodynamics Project would best be established. A new and extensive program to study the continental crust is outlined in this report. The Workshop focused on the following topics: processes in the continental crust (mechanism of faulting and earthquakes, hydrothermal systems and active magma chambers); state and structure of the continental crust (heat flow and thermal structure of the crust; state of ambient stress in the North American plate; extent, regional structure, and evolution of crystalline continental crust); short hole investigations; present state and needs of drilling technology; drill hole experimentation and instrumentation; suggestions for organization and operation of drilling project; and suggested level of effort and funding. Four recommendations are set down. 8 figures, 5 tables. (RWR)

Results of geophysical studies in the Clear Lake region of California, north of San Francisco, have revealed a prominent, nearly circular negative gravity anomaly with an amplitude of more than 25 milligals (mgal) and an areal extent of approximately 250 square miles and, in addition, a number of smaller positive and negative anomalies. The major negative gravity anomaly is closely associated with the Clear Lake volcanic field and with an area characterized by hot springs and geothermal fields. However, the anomaly cannot be explained by mapped surface geologic features of the area. Aeromagnetic data in the Clear Lake region show no apparent correlation with the major negative gravity anomaly; the local magnetic field is affected principally by serpentine. An electrical resistivity low marks the central part of the gravity minimum, and a concentration of earthquake epicenters characterizes the Clear Lake volcanic field area. The primary cause of the major negative gravity anomaly is believed to be a hot intrusive mass, possibly a magma chamber, that may underlie the Clear Lake volcanic field and vicinity. This mass may serve as a source of heat for the geothermal phenomena in the area. Other smaller gravity anomalies in the Clear Lake region are …

A standard prescribing requirements for austenitic steel welding fittings (ASME SA-403 with additional requirements) for nuclear and associated applications is presented. This standard supersedes RDT M2-5T dated May, 1973.