Numerical calculations of the perturbation of normal heat flow by topographic and local conductivity structure

Abstract

A numerical method is used to investigate the effect of topographic and local thermal conductivity anomalies on near-surface heat flow for two-dimensional models. Heat flow associated with a sloping topographic structure is calculated. Also, the effects of a fault structure associated with the sloping topography are considered. Vertical and horizontal heat flow components are calculated alone; the surface of the earth as well as throughout the whole region of interest. The results indicate that surface heat flow is substantially affected by topographic relief and the horizontal heat flow component associated with topographic features can be large. Also, regional heat flow is greatly perturbed by local thermal conductivity anomalies and the effect of topographic features may be considerably modified by the subsurface structure.