Meso–Cenozoic thermal regime in the Bohai Bay Basin,eastern North China Craton

This article discusses the Meso–Cenozoic thermal history, thermal lithospheric thinning, and thermal structure of the lithosphere of the Bohai Bay Basin, North China. The present-day thermal regime of the basin features an average heat flow of 64.5 ± 8.1 mW m^–2, a lithospheric thickness of 76–102 km, and a ‘hot mantle but cold crust’-type lithospheric thermal structure. The Meso–Cenozoic thermal history experienced two heat flow peaks in the late Early Cretaceous and in the middle to late Palaeogene, with heat flow values of 82–86 mW m^?2 and 81–88 mW m^?2, respectively. Corresponding to these peaks, the thermal lithosphere experienced two thinning stages during the Cretaceous and Palaeogene, reaching a minimum thickness of 43–61 km. The lithospheric thermal structure transformed from the ‘hot crust but cold mantle’ type in the Triassic–Jurassic to the ‘cold crust but hot mantle’ type in the Cretaceous–Cenozoic, according to the ratio of mantle to surface heat flow (q_m/q_s). The research on the thermal history and lithospheric thermal structure of sedimentary basins can effectively reveal the thermal regime at depth in the sedimentary basins and provide significance for the study of the basin dynamics during the Meso–Cenozoic.     

Thermal modeling of Carboniferous to Triassic sediments of the Karawanken Range (Southern Alps) as a tool for paleogeographic reconstructions in the Alpine–Dinaridic–Pannonian realm

Vitrinite reflectance was measured in Late Carboniferous to Triassic shales, siltstones and marls of the Karawanken Range. Thermal models of the central South-Karawanken Range were calibrated on the basis of these data. They suggest an eroded overburden of more than 3,200 m of Jurassic to Cretaceous sediments and a heat flow in the range of 42 to 60 mW m^?2 during the time of maximum subsidence. Because the reconstructed thermal history of the South-Karawanken Range is very similar to the thermal history of the Generoso basin (western Southern Alps), these data provide strong evidence for a deep basinal position of the Southern Karawanken Range during Jurassic to Cretaceous times. A vitrinite reflectance anomaly at the northern margin of the South-Karawanken Range is explained by advective heat transport during the Oligocene. The heat source for the anomalies at the western margin of the Seeberg Rise and in the area between the Periadriatic Lineament and the Donat Fault Zone is unknown. Vitrinite reflectance in Late Triassic sediments indicates the South-Karawanken Range and the South-Zala Unit of the Pannonian basement as exotic blocks in the Sava Composite Unit. This is explained by Miocene displacement of structural units, which were derived from different paleogeographical segments of the Permo-Mesozoic western Tethyan margin.     

New heat flow data from the immediate vicinity of the Kola super-deep borehole: Vertical variation in heat flow confirmed and attributed to advection

We present new heat flow values and other geothermal data in the upper crystalline crust in the immediate vicinity of the 12.4-km deep Kola super-deep borehole, NW Russia. Our results show a systematic vertical increase in geothermal gradient and heat flow density as deep as we could measure (1.6 km). Our results confirm earlier results on vertical heat flow trends of in the uppermost part of the Kola super-deep hole, and imply that the thermal regime is not in steady-state conductive conditions. In an area of 3-km × 5-km measurements were performed in 1–2-km deep boreholes surrounding the Kola super-deep hole and on core samples from these holes. Temperature logs are available from 36 holes. Core data exists from 23 boreholes with a total length of 11.5 km at a vertical resolution of 10 m. We carried out a very detailed study on thermal conductivity with regard to anisotropy, inhomogeneity and temperature dependence. Tensor components of thermal conductivity were determined on 1375 core samples from 21 boreholes in 3400 measurements. Additionally, we measured specific heat capacity, heat generation rate, density, porosity, and permeability on selected subsets of core samples. Heat flow from 19 boreholes varies between 31 and 45 mW m⁻² with an average value of 38 mW m⁻². In most boreholes the vertical heat flow profiles show a considerable variation with depth. This is consistent with observations in the upper part of the Kola super-deep borehole. We conclude that this variation is not caused by technical operations but reflects a natural process. It is considered to be due to a combination of advective, structural and paleoclimatic effects. Preliminary 3-D numerical modeling of heat and flow in the study area provides an indication of relative contributions of each of these factors: advective heat transfer turns out to have a major influence on the vertical variation of heat flow, although transient changes in surface temperature may also cause a significant variation. Heterogeneity of the rocks in the study area is less important.     

Cordilleran Intermontane thermotectonic history and implications for neotectonic structure and petroleum systems,British Columbia,Canada

Heat flow increases northward along Intermontane Belt in the western Canadian Cordillera, as shown by geothermal differences between Bowser and Nechako sedimentary basins, where geothermal gradients and heat flows are ∼30 mK/m and ∼90 mW/m² compared to ∼32 mK/m and 70 –80 mW/m², respectively. Sparse temperature profile data from these two sedimenatary basins are consistent with an isostatic model of elevation and crustal parameters, which indicate that Bowser basin heat flow should be ∼20 mW/m² greater than Nechako basin heat flow. Paleothermometric indicators record a significant northward increasing Eocene or older erosional denudation, up to ∼7 km. None of the heat generation, tectonic reorganization at the plate margin, or erosional denudation produce thermal effects of the type or magnitude that explain the north–south heat flow differences between Nechako and Bowser basins. The more southerly Nechako basin, where heat flow is lower, has lower mean elevation, is less deeply eroded, and lies opposite the active plate margin. In contrast, Bowser basin, where heat flow is higher, has higher mean elevation, is more deeply eroded, and sits opposite a transform margin that succeeded the active margin ∼40 Ma. Differences between Bowser and Nechako basins contrast with the tectonic history and erosion impacts on thermal state. Tectonic history and eroded sedimentary thickness suggest that Bowser basin lithosphere is cooling and contracting relative to Nechako basin lithosphere. This effect has reduced Bowser basin heat flow by ∼10–20 mW/m² since ∼40 Ma. Neither can heat generation differences explain the northerly increasing Intermontane Belt heat flow. A lack of extensional structures in the Bowser basin precludes basin and range-like extension. Therefore, another, yet an unspecified mechanism perhaps associated with the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province, contributes additional heat. Bowser basin’s paleogeothermal gradients were higher, ∼36 mK/m, before the Eocene and this might affect petroleum and metallogenic systems.     

Geothermal regime and Jurassic source rock maturity of the Junggar basin, northwest China

We analyze the thermal gradient distribution of the Junggar basin based on oil-test and well-logging temperature data. The basin-wide average thermal gradient in the depth interval of 0–4000 m is 22.6 °C/km, which is lower than other sedimentary basins in China. We report 21 measured terrestrial heat flow values based on detailed thermal conductivity data and systematical steady-state temperature data. These values vary from 27.0 to 54.1 mW/m² with a mean of 41.8 ± 7.8 mW/m². The Junggar basin appears to be a cool basin in terms of its thermal regime. The heat flow distribution within the basin shows the following characteristics. (1) The heat flow decreases from the Luliang Uplift to the Southern Depression; (2) relatively high heat flow values over 50 mW/m² are confined to the northern part of the Eastern Uplift and the adjacent parts of the Eastern Luliang Uplift and Central Depression; (3) The lowest heat flow of smaller than 35 mW/m² occurs in the southern parts of the basin. This low thermal regime of the Junggar basin is consistent with the geodynamic setting, the extrusion of plates around the basin, the considerably thick crust, the dense lithospheric mantle, the relatively stable continental basement of the basin, low heat generation and underground water flow of the basin. The heat flow of this basin is of great significance to oil exploration and hydrocarbon resource assessment, because it bears directly on issues of petroleum source-rock maturation. Almost all oil fields are limited to the areas of higher heat flows. The relatively low heat flow values in the Junggar basin will deepen the maturity threshold, making the deep-seated widespread Permian and Jurassic source rocks in the Junggar basin favorable for oil and gas generation. In addition, the maturity evolution of the Lower Jurassic Badaowan Group (J_1b) and Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Group (J_2x) were calculated based on the thermal data and burial depth. The maturity of the Jurassic source rocks of the Central Depression and Southern Depression increases with depth. The source rocks only reached an early maturity with a R₀ of 0.5–0.7% in the Wulungu Depression, the Luliang Uplift and the Western Uplift, whereas they did not enter the maturity window (R₀ < 0.5%) in the Eastern Uplift of the basin. This maturity evolution will provide information of source kitchen for the Jurassic exploration.     

川西盆地下白垩统古流向逆变及沉积地球化学响应

通过对川西盆地下白垩统古流向的研究发现,川西盆地东缘早白垩世早期沉积的平均古流向为142°～145°,中、晚期沉积的平均古流向则为264°～288°,说明古流向发生了逆变。下白垩统泥质岩稀土、微量元素丰度的纵向变化表明,与此古流向逆变过程相对应沉积层段的元素丰度,也产生了明显的相对异常。这一地球化学异常既为该古流向逆变的存在提供了进一步的佐证,也揭示了该现象具有很好的、区域性的沉积地球化学响应。     

New terrestrial heat flow map of Europe after regional paleoclimatic correction application

Heat flow variations with depth in Europe can be explained by a model of surface temperature changes >10°C. New heat flow map of Europe is based on updated database of uncorrected heat flow values to which paleoclimatic correction is applied across the continent. Correction is depth dependent due to a diffusive thermal transfer of the surface temperature forcing of which glacial–interglacial history has the largest impact. It is obvious that large part of the uncorrected heat flow values in the existing heat flow databases from wells as shallow as few hundreds of meters is underestimated. This explains some very low uncorrected heat flow values 20–30 mW/m² in the shields and shallow basin areas of the craton. Also, heat flow values in other areas including orogenic belts are likely underestimated. Based on the uncorrected and corrected heat flow maps using 5 km × 5 km grid, we have calculated average heat flow values (uncorrected heat flow: 56.0 mW/m²; SD 20.3 mW/m² vs. corrected heat flow: 63.2 mW/m²; SD 19.6 m/Wm²) and heat loss for the continental part. Total heat loss is 928 E09 W for the uncorrected values versus corrected 1050 E09 W.     

Geothermal model of the earth's crust in the pannonian basin

A geothermal model of the hyperthermal zone of the Pannonian basin is constructed. On the basis of results of seismic measurements along five deep seismic sounding profiles on the territory of the basin and the surrounding areas and also of measurements of heat flow, heat production by radioactive elements and thermal conductivity of rocks, the variation of temperature with depth and maps of Mono-temperatures and heat flux through this surface are calculated and constructed, respectively. It is shown by numerical-model calculations that the heat anomaly of the Pannonian basin indicated by a number of surface measurements is mainly of mantle origin. Inhomogeneities of the heat-flow increase with depth down to the upper mantle and the temperature on the Moho-surface below the hyperthermal zone has values on average 400–500°C more than those in the surrounding areas. Heat flux through the Moho under the Pannonian basin is also higher by about 40–50 mW m⁻². On the basis of the present calculations, it can be suggested that the upper mantle is probably partially molten beneath the annonian basin. As a most reasonable source mechanism of formation of this heat anomaly, the frictional heating arising in areas of induced secondary convection that probably has proceeded also beneath the basin from the Triassic to the Miocene is suggested here.     

Present Terrestrial Heat Flow Measurements of the Geothermal Fields in the Chagan Sag of the YingenEjinaqi Basin,Inner Mongolia,China

Owing to the lack o f terrestrial heat flow data, studying lithospheric thermal structure and geodynamics of the Yingen-Ejinaqi Basin in Inner Mongolia is limited. In this paper, the terrestrial heat flow o f the Chagan sag in the YingenEjinaqi Basin were calculated by 193 system steady-state temperature measurements of 4 wells, and newly measuring 62 rock thermal conductivity and 20 heat production rate data on basis o f the original 107 rock thermal conductivity and 70 heat production data. The results show that the average thermal conductivity and heat production rate are 2.11 ±0.28 W/(m.K) and2.42±0.25 nW/m~3 in the Lower Cretaceous o f the Chagan sag. The average geothermal gradient from the Lower Suhongtu 2 Formation to the Suhongtu 1 Fonnation is 37.6 °C/km, and that o f the Bayingebi 2 Formation is 27.4 °C/km. Meanwhile, the average terrestrial heat flow in the Chagan sag is 70.6 mW/m~2. On the above results, it is clear that there is an obvious negative correlation between the thermal conductivity o f the stratum and its geothermal gradient. Moreover, it reveals that there is a geothermal state between tectonically stable and active areas. This work may provide geothermal parameters for further research o f lithospheric thermal structure and geodynamics in the Chagan sag.     

Post-rift vertical movements and horizontal deformations in the eastern margin of the Central Atlantic: Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous evolution of Morocco

Wide regions of Morocco, from the Meseta to the High Atlas, have experienced km-scale upward vertical movements during Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous times following the appearance of oceanic crust in the Central Atlantic. The area experiencing exhumation was flanked to the W by a domain of continuous subsidence, part of which is named the Essaouira-Agadir basin. Comparison with vertical movement curves predicted by lithospheric thinning models shows that only 50–60?% of the subsidence documented in the Essaouira basin can be explained by post-rift thermal relaxation and that <30–40?% of the observed exhumation can be explained by processes (in)directly related to the evolution of the Central Atlantic rifted margin. Syn-sedimentary structures in Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous formations of the Eassouira-Agadir basin are common and range from m-scale folds and thrusts to km-scale sedimentary wedges. These structures systematically document coeval shortening generally oriented at high angle to the present margin. As a working hypothesis, it is suggested that regional shortening can explain the structural observations and the enigmatic vertical movements.     

Thermal structure of lithosphere in Central Asian and Pacific belts and their adjacent cratons,from data of geoscience transects

We investigate the 2D thermal structure of lithosphere in the Central Asian and Pacific tectonic belts and adjacent cratonic areas of Siberia and North China using a synthesis of geothermal data from six geoscience transects covered by seismic, resistivity, and gravity surveys. The patterns of rock density, radiogenic heat production derived from U and Th abundances, thermal conductivity, temperatures, and respective heat flows reveal a layered structure. The model with layers distinguished according to density and thermal parameters includes well pronounced dome-shaped features in the crust which correlate with upwarps of the asthenospheric top. The domes are marked by high heat flows of 60–90 mW/m² with a mantle component higher than the crustal one (30–60 mW/m² against 20–30 mW/m²) and temperatures as high as 800–1100 °C at the Moho. Many of these features correspond to known and potential petroleum basins.     

Thermal tracer testing in a sedimentary aquifer: field experiment (Lauswiesen,Germany) and numerical simulation

An active and short-duration thermal tracer test (TTT) was conducted in a shallow sedimentary aquifer at the Lauswiesen test site, near Tübingen, Germany. By injecting 16  m³ of warm water at 22°C, a thermal anomaly was created, which propagated along the local groundwater flow direction. This was comprehensively monitored in five observation wells at a few meters distance. The purpose of this well-controlled experiment was to determine the practicability of such a TTT and its suitability to examine hydraulic characteristics of heterogeneous aquifers. The results showed that the thermal peak arrival times in the observation wells were consistent with previous observations from alternative field testing such as direct-push injection logging (DPIL). Combined analysis of depth-dependent temperatures and peak arrival times, and comparison with a numerical heat transport model, offers valuable insights into the natural flow field and spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivities. The study was able to identify vertical flow focusing and bypassing, which are attributed to preferential flow paths common in such sedimentary sand and gravel aquifers. These findings are fundamental for further development of experimental designs of active and short-duration TTTs and provide a basis for a more quantitative analysis of advective and conductive transport processes.     

Shallow geothermal regime in the Perth Metropolitan Area

Exploration of Perth's geothermal potential has been performed by the Western Australian Geothermal Centre of Excellence (WAGCoE). Detailed vertical temperature and gamma ray logging of 17 Western Australia Department of Water's (DoW) Artesian Monitoring (AM) wells was completed throughout the Perth Metropolitan Area (PMA). In addition, temperature logs from 53 DoW AM wells measured in the 1980s were digitised into LAS format. The logged data are available in the WAGCoE Data Catalogue.

Analysis of the gamma ray logs yielded the first estimates of radiogenic heat production in Perth Basin formations. Values by formation ranged between 0.24 and 1.065 μW m^?3. The temperature logs provide a picture of true formation temperatures within shallow sediments in the Perth Basin. A three-dimensional model of the temperature distribution was used to produce maps of temperature at depth and on the top of the Yarragadee aquifer.

The temperature data were interpreted with a one-dimensional conductive heat model. Significant differences between the model and the observations was indicative of heat moving via non-conductive mechanisms, such as advection or convection. Evidence of non-conductive or advective heat flow is demonstrated in most formations in the region, with significant effects in the aquifers. Average conductive geothermal gradients range from 13°C km^?1 to 39°C km^?1, with sandstone formations exhibiting average gradients of approximately 25°C km^?1, while insulating silt/shale formations show higher average gradients of over 30°C km^?1.

To produce preliminary heat flow estimates, temperature gradients were combined with thermal conductivities measured elsewhere. The geometric mean heat flow estimates range between 64 mW m^?2 to 91 mW m^?2, with the standard deviation of the arithmetic mean heat flow ranging between 15 and 23 mW m^?2.

The study characterises the shallow temperature regime in the Perth Metropolitan Area, which is of direct relevance towards developing commercial geothermal projects.     

Mid-Cretaceous uplift and erosion on the northern margin of the Ligurian Tethys deduced from thermal history reconstruction

The paleogeography during Early Cretaceous of the northern margin of the Ligurian Tethys is poorly constrained because of deformation and erosion during Pyrenean and Alpine orogenic phases. The present-day limit between Lower Cretaceous sediments in the South–East basin, located at the northwestern margin of the Ligurian Tethys, and basement rocks is the consequence of a protracted erosion history. Lower Cretaceous sediments observed today in the basin, even close to the present-day outcropping border, are characteristic of pelagic environments. A larger extent of a Lower Cretaceous cover on the basement must then be considered. This study focuses on the western part of this margin (the Causses basin), in the South of the Massif Central (France), using several thermochronometers and geothermometers to decipher the former extent of the sedimentary cover. Apatite fission track thermochronology on basement rocks surrounding the Causses basin suggests that these rocks cooled from temperatures higher than 110°C during the mid-Cretaceous. Average fluid inclusion homogenisation temperatures between 94°C and 108°C are recorded in calcite veins from outcropping Toarcian and Aalenian shales. In the shales, Tmax values, temperature obtained by Rock–Eval pyrolysis of organic matter, are in agreement with these elevated temperatures. Different explanations for these relatively high temperatures, which cannot be explained by the present-day sedimentary serie in the basin, have been tested using a 1D thermal modelling procedure (Genex). For a 95±10-mW/m² paleoflux, thick sedimentary deposits (2.5±0.3 km) including 1.3±0.3 km of Lower Cretaceous sediments cover the South of the Massif Central; these formations have been subsequently eroded from mid-Cretaceous time onwards. This study confirms that the South of the Massif Central was a site of marine sedimentation during the Early Cretaceous where a thick sedimentary sequence was once deposited.     

潞安矿区构造－热演化特征

通过对潞安矿区区域地质背景研究,在镜质体反射率测试分析的基础上,对研究区多个井田含煤地层的埋藏史及其热史进行了恢复。结果表明,早三叠世-侏罗纪,研究区构造运动强烈,埋深增大至3 500 m左右,经历较高古地温（120~135℃）,热流达到第一个峰值（76~89 mW/m2）;侏罗纪晚期-早白垩世,受燕山期火山运动及深层侵入岩影响,研究区含煤地层温度骤升至160~180℃并伴随出第二个古热流峰值（90~99 mW/m2）。通过比对,认为沁水盆地东南缘潞安矿区所处构造-热演化程度较沁水盆地中部偏高。      

Evidence for deep groundwater flow and convective heat transport in mountainous terrain, Delta County, Colorado, USA

The Tongue Creek watershed lies on the south flank of Grand Mesa in western Colorado, USA and is a site with 1.5 km of topographic relief, heat flow of 100 mW/m², thermal conductivity of 3.3 W m^–1 °C^–1, hydraulic conductivity of 10^-8 m/s, a water table that closely follows surface topography, and groundwater temperatures 3–15°C above mean surface temperatures. These data suggest that convective heat transport by groundwater flow has modified the thermal regime of the site. Steady state three-dimensional numerical simulations of heat flow, groundwater flow, and convective transport were used to model these thermal and hydrological data. The simulations provided estimates for the scale of hydraulic conductivity and bedrock base flow discharge within the watershed. The numerical models show that (1) complex three-dimensional flow systems develop with a range of scales from tens of meters to tens of kilometers; (2) mapped springs are frequently found at locations where contours of hydraulic head indicate strong vertical flow at the water table, and; (3) the distribution of groundwater temperatures in water wells as a function of surface elevation is predicted by the model.     

Heat flow, heat production and fission track data from the Hercynian basement around the Provençal Basin (Western Mediterranean)

In the complex structural framework of the Western Mediterranean. Hercynian areas are expected to be thermally preserved from the recent tectonic evolution. The thermal regime of these areas is studied using heat flow, heat production and fission track data. The surface heat flow is significantly higher in Corsica (76 ± 10 mW m⁻²) than in the Maures and Estérel (58 ± 2 mW m⁻²). Neither heat production nor erosion subsequent to the Alpine orogeny in Corsica can explain such a difference. It is suggested that a deep thermal source related to the asymmetric evolution of the Provençal basin could explain the higher heat flow in Corsica. A model of thermal structure based on the present day thermal regime of the Maures and Estérei is proposed for the stable Hercynian crust in this area. The mantle heat flow is 20–25 mW m⁻² and the temperature at Moho level is 375–500°C, depending on the thermal parameter distribution with depth.     

Estimates of heat flow and heat production and a thermal model of the São Francisco craton

An updated analysis of geothermal data from the highland area of eastern Brazil has been carried out and the characteristics of regional variations in geothermal gradients and heat flow examined. The database employed includes results of geothermal measurements at 45 localities. The results indicate that the Salvador craton and the adjacent metamorphic fold belts northeastern parts of the study area are characterized by geothermal gradients in the range of 6–17°C/km. The estimated heat flow values fall in the range of 28–53 mW/m², with low values in the cratonic area relative to the fold belts. On the other hand, the São Francisco craton and the intracratonic São Francisco sedimentary basin in the southwestern parts are characterized by relatively higher gradient values, in the range of 14–42°C/km, with the corresponding heat flow values falling in the range of 36–89 mW/m². Maps of regional variations indicate that high heat flow anomaly in the São Francisco craton is limited to areas of sedimentary cover, to the west of the Espinhaço mountain belt. Crustal thermal models have been developed to examine the implications of the observed intracratonic variations in heat flow. The thermal models take into consideration variation of thermal conductivity with temperature as well as change of radiogenic heat generation with depth. Vertical distributions of seismic velocities were used in obtaining estimates of radiogenic heat production in crustal layers. Crustal temperatures are calculated based on a procedure that makes simultaneous use of the Kirchoff and Generalized Integral Transforms, providing thereby analytical solutions in 2D and 3D geometry. The results point to temperature variations of up to 300°C at the Moho depth, between the northern Salvador and southern São Francisco cratons. There are indications that differences in rheological properties, related to thermal field, are responsible for the contrasting styles of deformation patterns in the adjacent metamorphic fold belts.     

江汉盆地当阳复向斜当深3井热史恢复及其油气勘探意义

江汉盆地当阳复向斜当深3井实测地温剖面和样品热导率测试结果表明:其现今地温梯度为20～24℃/km,热流值为56mW/m²,体现了盆地发育于扬子稳定陆块的大地构造属性。基于7个磷灰石裂变径迹样品和大量镜质体反射率古温标数据进行的热史恢复表明,盆地构造—热演化经历了前印支期的低热流(50～60mW/m²)和小剥蚀量(50～200m),印支期的高热流(约80mW/m²)及燕山期与喜马拉雅期的低热流(50～60mW/m²)与大剥蚀量(1100～2400m)的不同演化阶段,反映了盆地和区域构造演化过程的阶段性。受沉积剥蚀及盆地构造—热演化的控制,生油岩系的生烃阶段与过程具有多期次的特征。     

Heat flow in the rifted continental margin of the South China Sea near Taiwan and its tectonic implications

Temperature measurements carried out on 9 hydrocarbon exploration boreholes together with Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSRs) from reflection seismic images are used in this study to derive geothermal gradients and heat flows in the northern margin of the South China Sea near Taiwan. The method of Horner plot is applied to obtain true formation temperatures from measured borehole temperatures, which are disturbed by drilling processes. Sub-seafloor depths of BSRs are used to calculate sub-bottom temperatures using theoretical pressure/temperature phase boundary that marks the base of gas hydrate stability zone. Our results show that the geothermal gradients and heat flows in the study area range from 28 to 128 °C/km and 40 to 159 mW/m², respectively. There is a marked difference in geothermal gradients and heat flow beneath the shelf and slope regions. It is cooler beneath the shelf with an average geothermal gradient of 34.5 °C/km, and 62.7 mW/m² heat flow. The continental slope shows a higher average geothermal gradient of 56.4 °C/km, and 70.9 mW/m² heat flow. Lower heat flow on the shelf is most likely caused by thicker sediments that have accumulated there compared to the sediment thickness beneath the slope. In addition, the continental crust is highly extended beneath the continental slope, yielding higher heat flow in this region. A half graben exists beneath the continental slope with a north-dipping graben-bounding fault. A high heat-flow anomaly coincides at the location of this graben-bounding fault at the Jiulong Ridge, indicating vigorous vertical fluid convection which may take place along this fault.