Assessment of the Türkiye Heat Flow Database 2023

Abstract

Terrestrial heat-flow determinations are crucial for understanding the thermal structure of the lithosphere. This study presents the results of a revision of the heat flow database in Türkiye contributing to the Global Heat Flow Data Assessment Project conducted by the International Heat Flow Commission (IHFC). The database includes 750 heat flow determinations reported in Türkiye between 1991 and 2023, and are reassessed according to the new IHFC specific structure documented by Fuchs et al. (2023). The data are gathered from the original literature and examined to ensure complete documentation of relevant metadata. The quality score is assigned based on the uncertainty, methodology and environmental disturbances. The new national wide database shows that heat-flow determinations are predominantly distributed in the western part of the country. However, the eastern part of the country has been poorly investigated to date. Despite numerous exploration-based studies conducted in the region concerning its substantial geothermal potential, a noteworthy portion of thermal data remains archived and is not accessible. The study reveals a significant demand for additional heat flow determinations to allow the drawing of a substantially revised and robust heat-flow map. However, the ongoing update of the Türkiye Heat Flow Database already allows a more transparent identification of areas with thermal anomalies.