Apr 9 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff



Hoping to attract federal stimulus money or developers to drill test holes, the U.S. Geological Survey is republishing a study highlighting possible geothermal energy about 15 miles northeast of Flagstaff.

The agency hopes to show developers the possibility that there could be 255-300-degree hot spots 10,000 feet below ground, left over from the times of volcanic eruptions in the San Francisco volcanic field.

Authored by three scientists formerly associated with NAU, including Northern Arizona University adjunct geology professor Wendell Duffield, the report calls for a test drill for exploration.

The site is less visible to developers because it has no steam or other geothermal features. The study group proposes government or private agencies spend about $1.7 million to drill a test hole 8,000 to 10,000 feet deep in the vicinity of an existing mine near O'Leary Peak.

The San Francisco volcanic field is comprised of as many as 800 extinct volcanoes stretching from Bill Williams Mountain to Sunset Crater. Sunset Crater and O'Leary Peak, at around 8,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation, respectively, are the best-known.

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