Geothermal problems in mountain ranges (Alps)

An attempt has been made to model the temperature distribution taking into account simultaneously the effects of regional uplift and erosion, present topography, development of topography with time and paleoclimatic variations.Two time intervals were considered: a long period (30 m.y.) for the uplift history and a relatively short period (200,000 y) for the surface history (topography, climate).The calculations were based on finite differences in space and time. An example is presented for an area in the Swiss Alps, where observed rock temperatures in a tunnel and paleotemperature data are available. A simple uplift history can fit the paleotemperatures but leads to unrealistic high temperatures in greater depths. To improve the model frictional heat sources due to crustal overthrusting were introduced.