The PI's will have access to extensive drilling technology in the newly developing Coso geothermal system. Water samples, cuttings, and cores will be studied to understand the nature of fluid/rock interaction in this system, which is relatively undisturbed and can provide a close approximator to natural circulation of fluids. The metamorphic/igneous basement rocks differ from the sediment hosted Salton Sea Geothermal field, and as such will have distinct effects on fluid compositions and evolution. Among the PI's objectives are determination of (1) fluid circulation paths and sources, (2) thermal evolution and age of the geothermal system, (3) veining mineralization, and (4) history of fracturing and cementation of the hydrologic system.
