Moderate-temperature geothermal resource potential of the northern Atlantic Coastal Plain

Abstract

Analysis of geothermal gradients determined in 65 exploratory holes in the Atlantic Coastal Plain indicates that in many areas temperatures exceed 40 °C at the base of the sediments. Water of such temperature, if it is available in sufficient quantity, represents a viable geothermal resource. Preliminary results of a test at Crisfield, Maryland, are encouraging in that brackish water at a temperature of 56 °C was produced from an aquifer at 1.2 km depth. Further testing of the temperatures and transmissivity of the deep aquifers beneath the Coastal Plain is required before the geothermal resource potential can be evaluated.