Revista geológica de América central ISSN Impreso: 0256-7024 ISSN electrónico: 2215-261X

OAI: https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/geologica/oai
Geology of Bajos de Totuma Hidropower Project (5 MW), Chiriqui, Panama
Vista del volcán Barú (fuente: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Volcan_baru.jpg)
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Keywords

Dam
Panama
Totuma
Tisingal
Colorado River
Represa
Panamá
Totuma
Tisingal
Río Colorado

How to Cite

Protti, R., & Sojo, D. (2020). Geology of Bajos de Totuma Hidropower Project (5 MW), Chiriqui, Panama. Revista geológica De América Central, 63. https://doi.org/10.15517/rgac.v63i0.43400

Abstract

Bajos de Totuma Hydropower Project study area is located in west Panama, near to Costa Rica-Panama border line. The hydraulic scheme of the project includes a small intake in the Colorado River, an initial conduction, a superficial pipeline, pressure tank, penstock, a powerhouse and generates 5 MW of power. Subduction dynamics process south of the study area is complex, standing out structures such as Panama Fracture Zone, Cocos Ridge, Tisingal and Tisingal volcanos. The study area is composed mostly by Paleogene-Neogene bedrock and Quaternary age volcanic rocks and materials (pyroclastic-epiclastic, PE) originated in West Panama volcanic range (Tisingal and Tisingal volcanos, which are among the highest mountains in Panama). BTHPP is located in a complex volcanic geological setting. Many different types of volcanic rocks and related materials are present along project scheme. It is highly probable that most of those materials were originated during Tisingal volcano major explosive activity some 1.6 million years ago, so probably most of the rocks in the area are allochthonous and/or related to major Tisingal lateral explosion and resulting pyroclastic flow some 1.6 million years ago. Despite major stratigraphic uncertainties, this investigation contributes to a relative fair understanding of the geotechnical conditions and parameters present in every project proposed work, this is, intake, tunnels, conducting pipelines, surge tank, penstock, and power house.

https://doi.org/10.15517/rgac.v63i0.43400
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References

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Copyright (c) 2020 Roberto Protti, Dennis Sojo

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