Evidence of a new geothermal prospect in the Northern-Central trans-Mexican volcanic belt: Rancho Nuevo, Guanajuato, Mexico

Thermal manifestations are commonly found in central Mexico as result of the volcanic activity originating from formation Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt during Quaternary. The Rancho Nuevo hot spring is one them that has not been described before with a discharge temperature near 92 °C. goal present study to provide geothermal characteristics thermal at location based on geochemical and mineralogical results explain deep-subsurface processes occurred system. presence kaolinite, montmorillonite, opal, zeolite, barite, pyrite, stibnite altered soil sediments or around springs identified by techniques used study, confirms hydrothermal activity. In addition, X-ray diffraction, calcite precipitates surface springs. This mineral association reflects deep eventually deposited shallow zones. Fluid mixing variations redox conditions suggested isotopic sulfur data. Finally, physicochemical data provided water samples springs, stability diagrams were constructed for zeolites using Geochemist’s Work Bench program corroborate these results. distribution, well N-S trend associations suggest interaction between fluid rocks stratigraphic sequence, active major faults, enabling upward flow fluids. approach conceptual model prospect reveals an attractive potential exploration viable resource Mexico.