Definition
Continental heat flow is the flux density of heat being conducted to the surface of continents. It is expressed as mW m−2. Heat flow is calculated as the product of temperature gradient (mK m−1 or °C per km – a scale appropriate to the dimensions of geological formations) and thermal conductivity (W m−1 K−1).
Introduction
Terrestrial heat flow, Q, is estimated from the product of temperature gradient (Г) and thermal conductivity (K), according to:
In practice, Г is derived from point measurements of temperature at two or more discrete depths. K can be determined in situ, but for routine determinations of heat flow, the most practical approach is to measure it on the surface, either in the field or in a laboratory.
Beardsmore and Cull (2001) reviewed the various options for applying equation 1. These usually involve combining the harmonic mean thermal conductivity and temperature gradient over discrete intervals of the temperature profiles. Where there...
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Sass, J.H., Beardsmore, G. (2011). Heat Flow Measurements, Continental. In: Gupta, H.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8702-7_72
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