Geothermal asymmetry in transform faults of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Doklady Earth Sciences - Statistical analysis of heat flow values measured in transform faults of the equatorial part of the Atlantic Ocean has been performed. Owing to the calculation using the...     

Heat Flow Asymmetry of the West Indian Ridge

Statistically significant asymmetry of geothermal data was established by statistical analysis of the heat flow density along the geotraverses intersecting the West Indian Ridge in the southwestern part of the ocean. To compare the samples of the heat flow density, the Cramer–Welch criterion was applied. It was found that the heat flow on the western slope of the ridge and in the adjacent abyssal basins is higher than in the same structural elements located east of the ridge axis. Asymmetry in the crust structure and in the magnetic field is also noted. To explain this phenomenon, a model that takes the Coriolis force into consideration was proposed. The Coriolis force affects the ascending magma flux in the divergent zone of the ridge.

     

The Asymmetric Distribution of Heat Flow along Mid-Oceanic Ridges

Doklady Earth Sciences - Observations of heat flow along nine geotraverses across mid-oceanic ridges in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans are analyzed statistically. It is found that there...     

Heat flow in salt-dome basins of Eurasia: A comparative study

The geothermal fields in the Pericaspian, Pripyat, and North German basins are considered. These basins are characterized by widespread Upper Paleozoic evaporite sequences, which underwent halokinesis with the formation of salt domes and plugs owing to tectonic and gravity instability. Heat flow refraction occurs at the boundaries of the domes with country rocks due to the contrast in thermal conductivity of evaporites and terrigenous rocks between the domal zones. This is the main cause of heat flow variation in the lateral and vertical directions in the salt-dome basins. Close correlation between zones of elevated temperature in the sedimentary rocks and petroleum occurrences is confirmed by the results of 2D and 3D modeling of the geothermal field. The previously noted relations of oil and gas fields to the deep faults in the studied basins create prerequisites for consideration of the geothermal field as a genetic factor controlling the tectonic features and petroleum resources of the salt-dome basins.