Galapagos Spreading Center at 86/sup 0/W: A detailed geothermal field study

Journal Article · Tue Feb 10 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB02p00979· OSTI ID:6509043

Green, K E; Von Herzen, R P; Williams, D L

We report here measurements of the heat flow field of the Galapagos Spreading Center on crust of age less than 1.0 m.y. The 443 measurements in an area of about 570 km/sup 2/ reveal the general planform of the geothermal flux and permit the first truly areal estimate of the near-axis conductive heat flux. The intrusion process and associated hydrothermal circulation dominate the surface heat flow pattern, with circulation apparently continuing beyond the limits of our survey. The areal average of the conductive heat flux is 7.1 +- 0.8 HFU (295 +- 33 mW/m/sup 2/), about one-third the heat flux predicted by plate models. The remaining heat is apparently removed by venting of hydrothermal waters at the spreading axis and through basalt outcrops and hydrothermal mounds off axis. The pattern of surface heat flux is lineated parallel to the axis and the strongly lineated topography. Sharp lateral gradients in the heat flow, greater than 10 HFU/km near escarpments and commonly expressed as high heat flow at the tops of the scarps and lower heat flow in the valleys, may indicate a local concentration of the circulation by surface fault systems and/or variable sediment thickness.

• Research Organization: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
• OSTI ID: 6509043
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:B2; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150102* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability-- Non-USA-- (-1989)
EARTH CRUST
GEOLOGIC FISSURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
HEAT FLOW
HEAT FLUX
PLATE TECTONICS
TECTONICS