CO2 flux and soil temperature measurements at the Shady Rest thermal area, Mammoth Lakes, California, 2010-2019

The Shady Rest thermal area (SRST) is characterized by elevated soil temperatures and CO2 emissions and associated vegetation kill. The site is located about 3 km northwest of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant at Mammoth Lakes, California. The elevated soil temperatures and CO2 emissions are related to changes in the shallow hydrothermal system caused by geothermal fluid production. During late 2006 changes at the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant included installation of 2 new production wells near SRST. Fluid production from these wells resulted in the expansion of areas of existing thermal ground, development of new thermal ground and an increase in the number of tree kills. Between 2006 and 2019 the USGS made yearly measurements [...]