Geothermal structure revealed by curie isothermal surface under Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

Guangdong Province in Southeast China is noted for its numerous geothermal resources due to tectonic episodes, mainly occurred during the Cretaceous. The surface heat flow and geothermal gradient are the most direct ways to understand the temperature of the Earth. However, geothermal resources are poorly utilized in Guangdong Province due to limited numbers of boreholes and surficial hydrothermal fluids. To improve the understanding of underground temperature distribution in Guangdong Province, we have applied power-density spectral analysis to aeromagnetic anomaly data to calculate the depth of the Curie isothermal surface. Upward continuation is applied and tested to the magnetic data. The calculated Curie isotherm is between 18.5 km and 25 km below surface. The fluctuation in the depth range reflects lateral thermal perturbations in the Guangdong crust. In particular, the eastern, northern, western and coastline areas of the province have a relatively shallow Curie isotherm. By comparing the surface heat flow, geothermal gradient, distribution of Mesozoic granite-volcanic rocks, and natural hot springs, we conclude that during Mesozoic, magmatism exerted great influence on the deep thermal state of Guangdong Province. A shallow Curie isotherm surface, as well as numerous natural hot springs and high heat flow, show clear signatures of shallow heat sources.