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The heat flow in a region is due to heat moving upward from
the mantle, together with thermal input from the radioactive
decay of long-lived, naturally occurring isotopes in the earth's
crust. This conductive thermal regime is easily perturbed
by the movement of fluids, which is the most effective form
of heat transport. Thus, heat flow anomalies are indicative
of recent or ongoing fluid flow in a sedimentary basin. Heat
flow variations may also provide insight into basin stretching,
sedimentation rates, and the presence of salt. Salt has a
high thermal conductivity and thus enhances heat flow and
perturbs maturation patterns and hydrodynamics around salt
structures. In addition, the geotechnical stability of the
ocean floor can be addressed as measured temperatures can
determine the stability of gas hydrates in shallow sediments.
Introduction
to Heat Flow Exploration Continued:
Description of Heat Flow Probe and
Its Operation
Thermal
Conductivity
Typical
Results
The
Effects of Bottom Water Temperature
References
Appendix
Related
Topics:
Heat Flow
Surveys Available From TDI-Brooks Int'l
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