Terrestrial heat flow in Europe.

Abstract

A monograph of 3076 observations of the terrestrial heat flow in Europe with a 1:6 000 000 colour map showing the surface heat flow pattern by isolines and colour shading. The book is designed as a guide for the interpretation of crustal and lithospheric structure and tectonic evolution on the European Continent. The map can be used for geothermal resource evaluation at a local and regional level. Terrestrial heat flow results from thermal differences in the Upper Mantle, and may produce thermoelastic stresses, resulting in earthquakes. Heat flow in the Upper Mantle is of fundamental importance for the understanding of large scale and long term crustal evolution. The book is divided into two sections; a general introduction to terrestrial heat flow in Europe and a series of national reports. In general, for the European Continent, there is a negative correlation between surface heat flow and crustal thickness, exceptions to this being the Alps and the Black Sea Basin. Heat flow to the surface of the earth from its interior is about 59 mWm-2. The general section also includes chapters on the measurement, corrections, anomalies and implications of heat flow. The national reports list individual terrestrial heat flow determinations and describe national heat flow patterns. -R.W.Crabtree