Heat flow and destabilized cratons: a comparative study of the North China,Siberian, and Wyoming cratons

Heat has a close relation to cratonic stability. We reconstructed the thermal history of the eastern North China, Wyoming, and Siberian cratons by using xenolith and thermal indicator data, and then the thermal lithospheric thickness in geological time was calculated by combining the crustal structural and thermal parameters. Researches from three cratons demonstrate that heat-flow values of the eastern North China Craton (eNCC) and Wyoming Craton (WC) have increased exceeding 20 mW/m² in the Meso-Cenozoic and the thermal lithospheric thickness has decreased by >100 km because of the cratonic destabilization. However, the thermal history variation of the Siberian Craton (SC) is small, ~5 mW/m², the lithosphere has remained stable and it has experienced relatively little lithospheric thinning <100 km. The differences of the cratonic thermal regime are related to the breakup of the Pangea supercontinent. Destabilized cratons on active continental margin are directly affected by plate subduction. Stable cratons in the interior of the supercontinents are directly affected by the upwelling of superplumes and that may result in lithospheric thinning. Differences in the thermal evolutions of cratons provide new geothermal evidence for the different thermal regimes associated with the breakup of the Pangea supercontinent.     

Heat flow in the Altai-Sayan Area: new data

Eleven new estimates of heat flow (q) from the southern Altai-Sayan Folded Area (ASFA) have provided update to the heat flow map of Gorny Altai. Measured heat flow in the area varies from 33 to 90 mW/m², with abnormal values of >70 mW/m^q at four sites. The anomalies may have a deep source only at the Aryskan site in the East Sayan (q = 77 mW/m²) while high heat flows of 75–90 mW/m² obtained for the Mesozoic Belokurikha and Kalguty plutons appear rather to result from high radiogenic heat production in granite, which adds a 25–30 W/m² radiogenic component to a deep component of 50–60 mW/m². The latter value is consistent with heat flow estimates derived from helium isotope ratios (54 mW/m² in both plutons). Heat flow variations at other sites are in the range from 33 to 60 mW/m². The new data support the earlier inferences of a generally low heat flow over most of ASFA (average of 45–50 mW/m²) and of a “cold” Cenozoic orogeny in the area (except for southeastern ASFA), possibly driven by shear stresses associated with India indentation into Eurasia.     

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 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.     

Heat flow and thermal modeling of the Yinggehai Basin, South China Sea

Geothermal gradients are estimated to vary from 31 to 43 °C/km in the Yinggehai Basin based on 99 temperature data sets compiled from oil well data. Thirty-seven thermal conductivity measurements on core samples were made and the effects of porosity and water saturation were corrected. Thermal conductivities of mudstone and sandstone range from 1.2 to 2.7 W/m K, with a mean of 2.0±0.5 W/m K after approximate correction. Heat flow at six sites in the Yinggehai Basin range from 69 to 86 mW/m², with a mean value of 79±7 mW/m². Thick sediments and high sedimentation rates resulted in a considerable radiogenic contribution, but also depressed the heat flow. Measurements indicate the radiogenic heat production in the sediment is 1.28 μW/m³, which contributes 20% to the surface heat flow. After subtracting radiogenic heat contribution of the sediment, and sedimentation correction, the average basal heat flow from basement is about 86 mW/m².Three stages of extension are recognized in the subsidence history, and a kinematic model is used to study the thermal evolution of the basin since the Cenozoic era. Model results show that the peak value of basal heat flow was getting higher and higher through the Cenozoic. The maximum basal heat flow increased from 65 mW/m² in the first stage to 75 mW/m² in the second stage, and then 90 mW/m² in the third stage. The present temperature field of the lithosphere of the Yinggehai Basin, which is still transient, is the result of the multistage extension, but was primarily associated with the Pliocene extension.     

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。     

郯庐断裂带地温场研究

笔者根据郯庐断裂带两侧(东经115°-121°、北纬30°-40°)117个热流数据,绘制了该区热流值平面图,并从断裂带两侧热流值的分布及高、中、低热流值频度分布特点,得出该断裂带中、南段(鲁西、皖北地区)热流值在50-80mW/m2范围内的频度最高,总平均值为67.67mW/m2,明显高于全球平均值(63mW/m2),也比中国大陆平均值(66mW/m2)略为偏高。沿断裂带存在一条明显的热流梯度递变带,东侧平均热流值(67.78mW/m2)明显高于西侧平均值(55.35mW/m2)。3条热流值剖面图显示由西向东穿过断裂带热流值有台阶、折线及跳跃型上升特点。笔者认为,这种东高西低的形貌反映了郯庐断裂带东、西侧地壳结构存在明显差异,这种差异与地震测深、大地电磁测深等地球物理量反映的东侧下地壳存在低速低阻层及莫霍面位置偏高相一致。      

2-D Crustal thermal structure along Thuadara-Sindad DSS profile across Narmada-Son lineament,central India

Central India is traversed by a WSW-ENE trending Narmada-Son lineament (NSL) which is characterized by the presence of numerous hot springs, feeder dykes for Deccan Traps and seismicity all along its length. It is divided in two parts by the Barwani-Sukta Fault (BSF). To the west of this fault a graben exists, whereas to the east the basement is uplifted between Narmada North Fault (NNF) and Narmada South Fault (NSF). The present work deals with the 2-D thermal modeling to delineate the crustal thermal structure of the western part of NSL region along the Thuadara-Sindad Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) profile which runs almost in the N-S direction across the NSL. Numerical results of the model reveal that the conductive surface heat flow value in the region under consideration varies between 45 and 47mW/m². Out of which 23mW/m² is the contribution from the mantle heat flow and the remaining from within the crust. The Curie depth is found to vary between 46 and 47 km and is in close agreement with the earlier reported Curie depth estimated from the analysis of MAGSAT data. The Moho temperature varies between 470 and 500°C. This study suggests that this western part of central Indian region is characterized by low mantle heat flow which in turn makes the lower crust brittle and amenable to the occurrence of deep focused earthquakes such as Satpura (1938) earthquake.     

Burial and thermal history of the West Bashkirian sedimentary basins

The GALO system is applied to the numerical reconstruction of burial and thermal histories of the West Bashkirian lithosphere from the Riphean to the present. An analysis of the variation in tectonic subsidence of the basin during its development is utilized to estimate approximately the mantle heat flow variations. Our variant of basin evolution suggests that after cooling in the Early Riphean, the rather weak thermal reactivations have not led to considerable heating of the lithosphere in the study region. Surface heat flow decreased from relatively high values in the Early Riphean (60–70 mW/m² in the eastern area and 40–50 mW/m² in the western part) to present-day values of 32–40 mW/m². In spite of the relatively low temperature regime of the basin as a whole, a syn-rifting deposition of more than 10 km of limestone, shale and sandstone in the Riphean resulted in rather high temperatures (180–190 °C) at the base of present-day sedimentary blanket in the eastern area. In agreement with the observed data, computed present-day heat flow through the sediment surface increases slightly from 32 to 34 mW/m² near the west boundary of the region to 42 mW/m² near the boundary of the Ural Foldbelt, whereas the heat flow through the basement surface decreases slightly from 28–32 to 24–26 mW/m² in the same direction. The mantle heat flow is only 11.3–12.7 mW/m², which is considerable lower than mean heat flow of the Russian Platform (16–18 mW/m²) and comparable with the low heat flow of Precambrian shields.     

辽河盆地东部凹陷热历史及构造—热演化特征

根据辽河盆地东部凹陷大地热流测量和镜质体反射率数据,恢复了该区的热历史,结果表明:东部凹陷热流呈现古热流高现今热流低的变化特征,沙河街组三段沉积期到东营组沉积期(距今43～25Ma)盆地热流为66～82mWm²,现今热流值为47～70mWm²。构造沉降史分析显示,盆地经历了早期的裂谷阶段(距今43～25Ma)和后期的热沉降阶段,裂谷阶段包含了两个裂谷亚旋回。盆地现今较低的大地热流和较高的古热流及典型的裂谷型构造沉降样式为东部凹陷的构造—热演化提供了重要认识。     

Thermal regime at the Upper Stillwater dam site, Uinta mountains, Utah: Implications for terrain, microclimate and structural corrections in heat flow studies

A detailed study of the subsurface thermal regime at the Upper Stillwater dam site, Uinta Mountains, northeast Utah, has been made. Temperature measurements were made in 36 drillholes located within a 1 km² area and ranging in depth from 20 to 97 m. Holes less than about 40 m deep were used only to obtain information about spatial variations in mean annual surface temperature. Several holes in or near talus slopes at the sides of the canyons have temperature minima approaching 0°C between 10 and 20 m indicating the presence of year-round ice at the base of the talus. Another set of holes show transient thermal effects of surface warming resulting from clearing of a construction site 3.5 years prior to our measurements. Most of the remaining holes show conductive behavior and have gradients ranging from 13° to 17°C km⁻¹. Measurements made on 44 core samples yield a thermal conductivity of 5.6 (std. dev. 0.35) W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ for the Precambrian quartzite present. Surface heat flow estimates for these holes range from 70 to 100 mW m⁻². However, the local disturbance of the thermal field by topography and microclimate is considerable. A finite difference method used to model these effects yielded a locally corrected Upper Stillwater heat flow of about 75 mW m⁻². A final correction to account for the effects of refraction of heat from the low conductivity sedimentary rocks in the Uinta Basin into the high conductivity quartzite at the dam site, produced a regionally corrected Upper Stillwater heat flow between 60 and 65 mW m⁻². This value is consistent with the observed heat flow of 60 mW m⁻² in the Green River Basin to the north and the Uinta Basin to the south.     

Contribution to the thermal regime of the Provençal Basin based on Flumed heat flow surveys and previous investigations

We present original heat flow determinations carried out during the Flumed surveys by the CEPM along three transects of the Provençal Basin (Gulf of Lions-West Sardinia; Toulon-Ajaccio; Nice-Calvi). A total of 121 thermal gradients and 37 conductivities are examined together with previous heat flow determinations along depth sections based on previous geophysical investigations. The mean observed heat flows are clearly shown to increase from NW to SE along the profiles (expect for the Toulon-Calvi transect, where results are ambiguous). The observed heat flow increases from 55–65 mW m⁻² (Gulf of Lions) to 85 ± 14 mW m⁻² (West Sardinia) and from 55–65 mW m⁻² (Var Basin) to 103–108 mW m⁻² (lower Corsican margin), suggesting an asymmetrical distribution of the observed heat flow. We examine whether this asymmetry could be caused by thermal refraction above salt structures or by any other superficial cause (sedimentation, topography, etc.) and conclude that an asymmetrical distribution of the subcrustal heat flow is probably the cause of this thermal regime. The elevated heat flows observed to the east in the abyssal plain, corrected for sedimentation, cannot be accounted for by the standard age/heat flow relations established for oceanic or attenuated continental lithosphere. The geodynamic significance of this speculative subcrustal origin remains poorly constrained, but could be related to post-rifting magmatic activity. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the apparent high local variability of the heat flow on the upper margin of the Gulf of Lions and on the Provençal margin of the Ligurian Sea.     

Tectono-thermal evolution of the Reed Bank Basin,Southern South China Sea

The Reed Bank Basin in the southern margin of the South China Sea is considered to be a Cenozoic rifted basin. Tectono-thermal history is widely thought to be important to understand tectonics as well as oil and gas potential of basin. In order to investigate the Cenozoic tectono-thermal history of the Reed Bank Basin, we carried out thermal modeling on one drill well and 22 pseudo-wells using the multi-stage finite stretching model. Two stages of rifting during the time periods of ∼65.5–40.4 Ma and ∼40.4–28.4 Ma can be recognized from the tectonic subsidence rates, and there are two phases of heating corresponding to the rifting. The reconstructed average basal paleo-heat flow values at the end of the rifting events are ∼60 and ∼66.3 mW/m², respectively. Following the heating periods, this basin has undergone a persistent thermal attenuation phase since ∼28.4 Ma and the basal heat flow cooled down to ∼57.8–63.5 mW/m² at present. In combination with the radiogenic heat production of the sedimentary sequences, the surface heat flow of the Reed Bank Basin ranges from ∼60.4 to ∼69.9 mW/m².     

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.     

Burial history and thermal evolution of Westphalian coal-bearing strata in the Campine Basin (NE Belgium)

A 1D-modelling program has been applied to reconstruct the burial and thermal histories of two exploration boreholes, KB172 and KB174, located in the Campine Basin. The results show differences in geological histories. The coalification of the Westphalian A and B strata in KB174 (0.66–0.98% R_o) was pre-Permian. Calculated maximum temperatures, based on borehole data and vitrinite reflectance, regional thicknesses and a heat flow of 84 mW/m² during the Late Westphalian, range from 110 °C at the top to 175 °C at the bottom of the Westphalian cored in this borehole. The high coalification (0.85–1.30% R_o) of the Westphalian C and D strata in KB172 could be the result of the deposition of 2500 m of Upper Permian to Middle Jurassic sediments in combination with elevated heat flows (71–80 mW/m²). Two coalification periods, i.e. Late Westphalian and Middle Jurassic, are suggested for this borehole. The simulated maximum temperatures range from 130 °C at the top to 175 °C at the bottom of the investigated Westphalian C and D. The differences in the burial and thermal histories of both boreholes can be related to the activity of the transversal Donderslag Fault, a major structural element in the Campine coalfield, and the Roer Valley Graben.     

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.     

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.     

Heat flow variation with depth in Poland: evidence from equilibrium temperature logs in 2.9-km-deep well Torun-1

High-precision temperature measurements were carried out up to a depth of 2,930 m in the 5.5-km-deep well Torun-1, 26 years after completion of drilling. The temperature log provides equilibrium thermal state information for the Polish Lowland at the western margin of the Precambrian craton. Geothermal gradient calculated from the equilibrium temperature log, together with estimates of thermal conductivity from ‘net rock’ geophysical well logging analysis and available core measurements, yields heat flow in the range 50–60 mW/m² below 2-km depth. Heat flow of 50 mW/m² plus ∼10 mW/m² generated within thick sediments and highly metamorphosed sedimentary wedge is typical for the western margin of the Precambrian East European craton. Heat-flow variations with depth can be explained by a model of surface-temperature changes >10°C (glaciation to Holocene). Torun-1 Working Group: Marta Wróblewska, Jacek Majorowicz, Jan Szewczyk, Jan Šafanda, Vladimír Cermák     

Geothermal gradients and heat flow variations in parts of the eastern Niger delta,Nigeria

Geothermal gradients and present day heat flow values were evaluated for about seventy one wells in parts of the eastern Niger delta, using reservoir and corrected bottom–hole temperatures data and other data collected from the wells. The results showed that the geothermal gradients in the shallow/continental sections in the Niger delta vary between 10 - 18° C/km onshore, increasing to about 24° C/km seawards, southwards and eastwards. In the deeper (marine/paralic) section, geothermal gradients vary between 18 - 45° C/km. Heat flow values computed using Petromod 1–D modeling software and calibrated against corrected BHT and reservoir temperatures suggests that heat flow variations in this part of the Niger delta range from 29–55 mW/m² (0.69–1.31 HFU) with an average value of 42.5 mW/m² (1.00 HFU). Heat flow variations in the eastern Niger delta correspond closely to variations in geothermal gradients. Geothermal gradients increase eastwards, northwards and seawards from the coastal swamp. Vertically, thermal gradients in the Niger delta show a continuous and non-linear relationship with depth, increasing with diminishing sand percentages. As sand percentages decrease eastwards and seawards, thermal gradient increases. Lower heat flow values (< 40 mW/m²) occur in the western and north central parts of the study area. Higher heat flow values (40 - 55 mW/m²) occur in the eastern and northwestern parts of the study area. A significant regional trend of eastward increase in heat flow is observed in the area. Other regional heat flow trends includes; an eastwards and westwards increase in heat flow from the central parts of the central swamp and an increase in heat flow from the western parts of the coastal swamp to the shallow offshore. Vertical and lateral variations in thermal gradients and heat flow values in parts of the eastern Niger delta are influenced by certain mechanisms and geological factors which include lithological variations, variations in basement heat flow, temporal changes in thermal gradients and heat flow, related to thicker sedmentary sequence, prior to erosion and evidenced by unconformities, fluid redistribution by migration of fluids and different scales of fluid migration in the sub-surface and overpressures.     

Research on the characteristics and influencing factors of terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou Province

Terrestrial heat flow is an important physical parameter in the study of heat transfer and thermal structure of the earth and it has great significance in the genesis and development and utilization potential of regional geothermal resources. Although several breakthroughs in geothermal exploration have been made in Guizhou Province. The terrestrial heat flow in this area has not been properly measured, restricting the development of geothermal resources in the province. For this reason, the terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou was measured in this study, during which the characteristics of heat flow were determined using borehole thermometry, geothermal monitoring and thermal property testing. Moreover, the influencing factors of the terrestrial heat flow were analyzed. The results show that the thermal conductivity of rocks ranges from 2.0 W/(m·K) to 5.0 W/(m·K), with an average of 3.399 W/(m·K); the heat flow varies from 30.27 mW/m² to 157.55 mW/m², with an average of 65.26 ± 20.93 mW/m², which is slightly higher than that of the average heat flow in entire land area in China. The heat flow in Guizhou generally follows a dumbbell-shaped distribution, with high values present in the east and west and low values occurring in the north and south. The terrestrial heat flow is related to the burial depths of the Moho and Curie surface. The basaltic eruptions in the Emeishan led to a thinner lithosphere, thicker crust and lateral emplacement, which dominated the basic pattern of heat flow distribution in Guizhou. In addition, the dichotomous structure of regional active faults and concealed deep faults jointly control the heat transfer channels and thus influence the terrestrial heat flow.