The variation of heat flow density with depth in the prairies basin of western Canada

Abstract

Bottom-hole temperature values from approximately 36,000 wells in Alberta. Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada, have been used to study thermal gradients and heat flow density there. It is found that variations of heat flow density with depth occur throughout the Prairies basin. Differences in heat flow density exist between the Mesozoic + Cenozoic and Paleozoic sediments and are related to the hydrodynamics which is controlled by the topography. The heat flow density through the Mesozoic + Cenozoic of the upper part of the section is less than that in the Paleozoic formations of the lower part of the section in recharge areas, but greater in discharge areas. A zone in which heat flow is approximately constant with depth extends down the central part of the basin between the recharge and discharge areas. Heat flowdensity in this zone lies between 60 mW m −2 and 80 mW m −2 and is thought to be representative of the deep crustal heat flow density. It is suggested that temperature variations on the Precambrian basement that are not depth related may be associated with anomalous heat flow regimes in the lower crust.