New terrestrial heat flow values from Hungary

Summary Temperature and conductivity measurements show, that in the Southern part of Transdanubia (the part of Hungary which lies Westwards from Danube) the heat flow is about 2–2.4·10^–6 cal/cm² sec. Eastward from the Danube, in the Hungarian Plain estimates are even higher, and vary between 2.3·10^–6 and 2.8·10^–6 cgs. The gradient of temperature is everywhere quite high, 5.0 resp. 5.8·10^–4 deg. C/cm on the average. Thus, at a depth of 1000 m, the virgin rock temperature is about 60–70 deg. C, at 2000 m about 110–130 deg. C.     

Subsurface temperature measurements and terrestrial heat flow estimates in the Aswan region,Egypt

Summary The results of temperature measurements in six boreholes, drilled near the west shores of the Lake Nasser in the Aswan region in the Nubian Desert, are reported. Temperature-depth profiles, complemented by thermal conductivity determinations of surface rock samples, were used to calculate the existing range of heat flow density in the region as 40 ÷ 60 mWm⁻², which is consistent with the values from the adjacent areas, reported in the literature. The extrapolated mean annual ground surface temperatures amount, on the average, to 30°C, which is 3 K higher than the mean annual air temperature in the region.     

On terrain corrections in terrestrial heat flow

The theory of heat-flow variation over a Lees-type hill is well known for evaluating terrain effects on terrestrial heat flow. However, a hill cannot be converted into a valley by simply changing the sign of one of the terrain-defining parameters, nor can several Lees' hills be superposed to simulate a series of hills and valleys for correcting a terrain-induced disturbance of heat flow. The proper derivations for a Lees-type valley are presented and the superposition is compared with analytic solutions for two parallel semi-cylindrical valleys and two semi-spherical basins embedded in an otherwise planar ground. Generally, heat flux climaxes over central valleys or basins, and dips toward their margins where rapid change in topography occurs. Variation of heat flux induced by a three-dimensional terrain is relatively large, as compared to two-dimensional features, but its areal extent is relatively limited. The two-dimensional effects also extend relatively deeper. In applying two-dimensional algorithms to a three-dimensional terrain, the correction may be over- or underestimated depending on the distance from a borehole to prominent terrain features in the surrounding area.     

Correlation between terrestrial heat flow and thermal conductivity

Summary The significant correlation coefficient between the terrestial heat flow and thermal conductivity computed from the continental heat flow data byHorai andNur [1]²) may be explained as a natural consequence of terrestrial heat flow through a random medium. The theory predicts a value of 0.40 for the correlation coefficient. A simple statistical test shows that the majority of the computed coefficients belong to the statistical population whose mean is equal to the theoretical correlation coefficient. There are, however, a few observations of unsually high correlation coefficient which cannot be explained by the above hypothesis.     

Metallogenesis in the southeastern Pacific: A progress report on the IDOE Nazca Plate project

Under the auspices of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration, scientists from Oregon State University and the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, along with representatives from the several South American countries which border the Nazca Plate, are intensively studying the origin and economic importance of metalliferous sediments which form extensive deposits on and near the East Pacific Rise. The sediments, enriched in iron, manganese, copper, nickel, zinc, silver, molybdenum, and lead are mineralogically and chemically similar to deposits cored by the “Glomar Challenger”, implying a common origin. The metalliferous sediments are especially abundant in an extensive basin, the Bauer Deep, which occurs about 800 km east of the East Pacific Rise. Elemental and isotopic data, supported by geologic information provided by cores and by geophysical instrumentation, suggest that the enriched elements in the sediments originate by the interplay of volcanism and sea water, by precipitation from sea water alone, and perhaps by the influence of deep-ocean physical processes acting on detritus transported from the continents or from the basaltic East Pacific Rise.An additional objective of the project is to define the possible relationship between marine metalliferous sediments of the plate to ore deposits of the Andean Cordillera. As pointed out by several writers, much of the earth's economic mineralization occurs along zones of convergence between subducted oceanic crust, including metalliferous sediments if present, and continental margins. Field and geochemical techniques are being applied to determine if sediments are in fact subducted beneath the Andean margin, and if they are remobilized into the continental ore deposits of the Andes. Isotopic tracers may prove most useful in testing this relation. Before the model can be tested rigorously, one must know not only the important chemical parameters of the ocean sediment that may be subducted, but also those of the pertinent rock and ore bodies of the South American Cordillera.     

两淮煤田大地热流分布及其构造控制

基于127块煤系地层岩石样品的热导率测定结果,并结合59个井田内可靠的系统测温数据,计算得出两淮煤田的大地热流值,并编制大地热流分布图,其结果表明:两淮煤田大地热流值变化范围为29.7~83.9 mW·m-2,平均值为58.3 mW·m-2,和其他沉积盆地存在一定的差异,且淮南煤田大地热流值(63.7 mW·m-2)远大于淮北煤田(55.2 mW·m-2).综合分析得出,两淮煤田大地热流与其他盆地的差异以及淮南煤田热流值高于淮北煤田的现象为构造演化和区域地质背景的控制结果;而研究区内热流的分布不均主要是由于受地质构造对地温场的影响所致,推覆构造上下盘现今热流值的差异尤为突出.     

Terrestrial heat flow in the North Island of New Zealand

Large variations in terrestrial heat flow from 21 to 209 mW/m² have been observed over the North Island, New Zealand. This is generally in good agreement with the pattern of existing geological and geophysical observations. A high heat flow zone with a value of 92 ±3 mW/m², which corresponds to melting temperatures near the base of the crust, is delineated in the northern part of the Taranaki Basin. In the rest of the island, heat flow appears to be low to normal, but some isolated high values are also found. Observed results are interpreted in terms of crust and mantle structure in a region of plate subduction.     

Multi-functional heat pulse probe measurements of coupled vadose zone flow and transport

Simultaneous measurement of coupled water, heat, and solute transport in unsaturated porous media is made possible with the multi-functional heat pulse probe (MFHPP). The probe combines a heat pulse technique for estimating soil heat properties, water flux, and water content with a Wenner array measurement of bulk soil electrical conductivity (EC_bulk). To evaluate the MFHPP, we conducted controlled steady-state flow experiments in a sand column for a wide range of water saturations, flow velocities, and solute concentrations. Flow and transport processes were monitored continuously using the MFHPP. Experimental data were analyzed by inverse modeling of simultaneous water, heat, and solute transport using an adapted HYDRUS-2D model. Various optimization scenarios yielded simultaneous estimation of thermal, solute, and hydraulic parameters and variables, including thermal conductivity, volumetric water content, water flux, and thermal and solute dispersivities. We conclude that the MFHPP holds great promise as an excellent instrument for the continuous monitoring and characterization of the vadose zone.     

Distribution characteristics of terrestrial heat flow density in Jiyang depression of Shengli Oilfield, East China

Terrestrialheatflowdensityistheamountofheatperunitareatransferringfromtheearthinteriortosurface,whichisanexteriorcharacteristicofthethermalandgeodynamicprocessesoccurringindeepmantle[1].Heatflow,asthemostdirectmannerofthermalprocessindeepearthandembodyingabundantinformationofgeology,geophysicsandgeodynamics,isasyntheticallythermalindexandplaysaveryimportantroleinstudyingnotonlytheactivityofcrust,thermalstructureofcrustanduppermantle,aswellasrheologicalstructureoflithosphere,butalsotheevaluation…     

陆地高精度重力观测数据的应用研究进展

陆地重力观测相较于航空和卫星重力观测,距离场源更近,观测精度相对较高,其静态异常和时变数据已广泛应用于研究多种地球动力学问题.21世纪以来,绝对重力观测技术发展迅速,陆地观测网络日益完善,高精度陆地重力观测数据产品逐渐丰富,基于这些产品的大地测量和地球物理研究不断取得新进展.本文总结了近十几年来高精度陆地重力观测数据在大地测量和地球物理领域的应用进展情况,包括基于重力异常数据构建重力场和大地水准面模型、建立地壳物性结构模型、反演Moho界面形态和估计岩石圈有效弹性厚度,以及利用时变重力数据构建时变重力场模型、探测微弱动力学信号、估计地壳构造变形速率和分析与火山、地震过程的可能关联,最后探讨分析了陆地重力测量的未来发展趋势,可为中国大陆重力观测系统建设与发展规划提供参考.     

南海北部陆坡深水区的海底原位热流测量

海底热流数据是开展海洋地球动力学研究和油气资源评价的基础数据.南海北部陆坡深水区蕴含有丰富的油气和水合物资源,而该区热流站位很少.为了解陆坡深水区水合物有利区块的地热特征,利用剑鱼1型海底原位热流探针,在南海西沙海域和神狐海域成功获得了16个站位的热流值.测量结果表明,西沙海槽与白云凹陷都具有较高的热流值,西沙海槽区除1个站位结果不可信外,另2个站位所测海底表层地温梯度分别为105.3 和99.9℃·km-1,原位热流分别为89±1和87±1 mW·m-2;白云凹陷中部区域13个站位测得表层地温梯度变化于58.5~100.7 ℃·km-1,热流值除4个站位低于70 mW·m-2外,其余都变化于75±2~101±4 mW·m-2范围,比前人在白云凹陷东部获得的热流高.分析认为,西沙海槽和白云凹陷区域的高地热特征与陆坡深水区的高热背景、晚期断裂发育、底辟、岩浆侵入和热流体活动等有关.     

从卫星红外亮温与大地热流的关系看地震前的热红外异常

一些强地震前地表可产生热异常是人们比较一致的认识,但能否用卫星遥感技术观测到地下热异常则存在很大的分歧.本文试图通过分析热红外亮温与大地热流值的关系,探讨利用卫星遥感技术观测地震热异常的可能性及其存在的一些问题.研究结果表明:（1）在绝大多数情况下,亮温随大地热流值的升高而升高,升高的速率平均为0.057℃/mW·m-2.如果地震引起的大地热流异常为100 mW·m-2,则有可能产生卫星红外平均亮温约5.7℃的异常.（2）不同地区亮温随大地热流值变化速率不同,即使地震前出现了卫星热红外亮温异常,但不同地区表现也是不同的.（3）在一些地区一些季节,亮温与大地热流值关系不明显,可能是亮温数据受气象因素干扰所致.这说明地震前的热红外亮温异常是复杂的,甚至有时是难于观测到的.     

Constraints imposed on crustal heat production by the linear heat flow relation

The class of three-dimensional radiogenic heat source functions, which satisfy a linear relation between heat flow and surface heat production, is constructed by expanding the source in terms of Fourier transforms in the horizontal directions and Laguerre functions in the vertical. The linear relation then becomes a set of linear equations among the expansion coefficients. In particular, it is shown that the preferred exponential decay model can only hold if heat flow is constant at the Earth's surface. Furthermore, if a heat source function has any lateral variation, then the linear relation cannot survive erosion of any uniformly thick slab. For a given heat flow data set, construction of a source solution, closest in the mean-square sense to the exponential decay model, is demonstrated. When applied to a heat flow data set from central England, the construction gives vertical profiles which locally show significant departures from the exponential model.     

Plume heat flow is much lower than CMB heat flow

Plumes rising from the core–mantle boundary (CMB) are often assumed to transport most, or all, of the heat conducted across the CMB. Here this assumption is explored using numerical convection models in idealized geometries that lead to a single plume under steady-state or near steady state conditions. Plume heat transport is calculated for different internal heating rates using two methods and compared to the CMB heat flux. For these conditions, it is found that the heat flux transported by plumes in the upper mantle is only a fraction of the core heat flux and, thus, core heat flow estimates derived from observed hotspots could be multiplied by a factor of several.     

Temperature and heat flow measurements in a fumarolic area: Vulcano Island (Italy)

Vulcano, the southern Aeolian Island, is in fumarolic activity. The possibilities of measurements are limited by the field conditions as well as by the technological feasibility. In the presente work different tests were made in the field to measure temperature continuously: only the measurements made in dry steam gave good results because they avoid corrosion, and solution of the acid gases in the condensed in the ground. Field measurement show that the heat transfer is mainly due to convection. The values obtained in the field can be used to quantify the remote sensing of heat transfer.     

Preliminary transient heat flow model of the Rio Grande rift in southern New Mexico

A positive gravity anomaly, anomalous seismic structure, and abnormally high reduced heat flow occur in a possible extension of the Rio Grande rift in southern New Mexico. The reduced heat flux is explained by the transient effects of basaltic intrusions with dimensions based on interpretations from gravity and seismic data. Ages of volcanic activity in the rift area are used to determine times of thermal events. The effect of latent heat and sharp boundaries of the reduced heat flow anomaly also restrict modeling. The thermal model consists of three intrusions at the base of the crust at 35 m.y., 10 m.y. and 5 m.y. The initial temperatures of these intrusions would differ from those in the surrounding crust and upper mantle by about +800°C, +800°C, and +600°C, respectively. The 35-m.y. intrusion is consistent with Oligocene volcanism and tectonic activity in southwestern New Mexico. This mass also contributes to the Bouguer gravity high in the rift area, as do the intrusions at 10 and 5 m.y. The intrusions at 10 and 5 m.y. explain the excess reduced flux, with the 5-m.y. pulse accounting for most of the curvature in the sharp boundaries of the anomaly. The idealized model is consistent with late Tertiary andesites, the periods of little extrusive activity, and Pliocene-Quaternary basalts in the rift area.     

Radioactive heat generation and heat flow in the Indian shield

Using a laboratory gamma-ray spectrometer, 160 rock samples from different heat flow sites in India have been analysed for their U, Th and K contents. Heat generation has been estimated for the significant rock types. Of the six regions covered by this study, correction due to heat generation contrast and geologic structure was found necessary and has been applied in two regions. Heat flow/heat generation plots for two regions in the southernmost part of the shield follow the line characteristic of a normal continental heat flow province. The plots for the other four regions indicate a heat flow province with an intercept of 0.92 HFU and a slope of 14.8 km. From data available at present, these parameters are higher compared to those from the other shields. The higher parameters imply a higher temperature and heat flow at the Moho, indicating a region of “hotter” upper mantle in the Indian shield.     

GRACE和地面重力测量监测到的中国大陆长期重力变化

自2002年以来,GRACE卫星探测计划可提供高精度的时变地球重力场,用以探测地球系统的物质分布.自1998年中国大陆重力监测网建立以来,利用FG5绝对重力仪和LCR-G型相对重力仪每2年对该网进行重复测量获取重力场时变信息.基于此,本文利用GRACE和地面重力测量获得了中国大陆重力场的长期年变率,利用位错理论根据USGS发布的断层模型计算了2008年汶川Ms8.0级地震的同震重力变化并进行了300 km高斯滤波.GRACE卫星重力和地面重力结果均表明华北地区地下水流失严重,在绝对重力基准站上,GRACE卫星重力与绝对重力变化率较为一致,汶川区域的地面重力变化结果可视为大地震前兆信息.