Magnetotelluric exploration of the Wagner Basin, Gulf of California, Mexico: Evidence for an axial magma chamber and hydrothermal circulation. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esquivel, Thalia Avilés; Flores, Carlos; Ortega, Valeria Reyes; Constable, Steven; Gómez-Treviño, Enrique; González-Fernández, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 99(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Marine magnetotellurics -- Electrical resistivity -- Heat flow correlation; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102501
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: Different geological and geophysical disciplines have suggested the Wagner Basin as a promising location of geothermal resources. As a reconnaissance tool Magnetotelluric (MT) data were measured at 10 sites along a profile over this basin in the northern Gulf of California. The subsurface distribution of electric resistivity was estimated with two-dimensional smooth inversion using the apparent resistivities and phases from both field polarizations. We found a deep conductor underneath the center of the basin, interpreted as a region of partial melt feeding the accretion zone of this incipient oceanic crust. From six MT sites with close-by heat flow measurements, we also found a positive correlation between the interpreted shallow (first 100 m) low resistivities and high heat flows. This shows that the MT method can be used to map submarine heat sources. Highlights: The magnetotelluric marine method was used to explore the northern Gulf of California with geothermal purposes. The 2D resistivity model reveals a deep conductor under the center of the Wagner basin likely produced by partial melting. There is a good correlation between high heat flow values and shallow low resistivities estimated from the magnetotelluric data.