Isothermal Maps Research Articles

Temperature distribution over the human head, especially in the cold.

Two separate practical problems are the reduction of the total heat loss of the head, as by insulated helmets, and protection from frostbite, as by face masks. Solution of both problems benefits from knowledge of the distribution of skin temperature. Temperatures were measured with thermocouples at several points on three subjects, in the steady state, at environmental temperature of 0°C. Topographical differences were similar for the three subjects. Temperatures at a large number of points were measured in a single subject, and isothermal maps were drawn from the results. They show that the areas needing most protection from frostbite are the tip of the nose, the rim of the ears, the chin and the cheekbones. The areas of highest temperature (greatest heat loss) are those covered by the conventional insulated helmets. A face mask need not cover the area round the mouth where tactile sensitivity may make it uncomfortable. The isothermal map is correlated with the anatomical distribution of arterial blood supply. Submitted on August 3, 1959

Study of the Underground Temperature Gradients of Several Wells at Arima Spar District, near Kobe, Japan

The underground temperature gradients with reference to the ten wells bored at Arima spar district near Kobe were studied.Each well bored as deep as 160 meters at shallowest and 300 meters at deepest from the ground surface respectively. The temperatures were found to be 73°C. at lowest and 133°C, at highest.Average temperature gradient was found, from calculation, to be 11.7°C. per 30 m. depth.An isothermal map was made at the depth of 120 m., according to the measuring results of the underground temperature at each point.In consequence, it was found that in the area surrounded by the 50°C. isothermal contour there existed places where the temperatures were higher than 50°C. so that the author attained the conclusion that temperatures above 50°C. will be expected in the area within the 50°C. thermal contour at the depth of 120 m. This conclusion will probably be applicable to the whole Arima spar district as far as the isothermal map concerns.

A Geographical Study of New England Temperatures

F all the elements of climate, temperature plays the most significant role in New England. The precipitation is generally adequate for all crops raised within the temperature limits. Wind, sunshine, cloudiness, and humidity are minor in their effects. These statements are an outgrowth of a study in which twenty-nine isothermal maps were constructed, showing the mean monthly, mean seasonal, mean annual, highest, and lowest temperatures, mean annual range, frost dates, and length of frost-free season.' Seventeen of these maps are reproduced here.

Temperature Gradient in Pechelbronn Oil-Bearing Region, Lower Alsace: Its Determination and Relation to Oil Reserves

Numerous temperature measurements have been made during the last ten years in the Pechelbronn oil-bearing region, to aid in the search for petroleum deposits. However, the results of the study of approximately 500 measurements clearly show that the isogeotherms are influenced primarily by the tectonic structure of the Rhine Valley graben. They show a nearly regular rise from the edges to the central part of the graben; also not uncommonly they approach one another. Such increase of temperature is especially marked in the fault zones. Seemingly, the isotherms are not influenced by larger or smaller oil accumulations; therefore, the presence of oil can not be looked upon as the cause of the relatively elevated temperature. It is perhaps possible to explain the rise of temperature toward the central part of the graben by a gradual change in the nature of the deposits. Coarse-grained sandy beds of the graben edges are gradually replaced toward the center by increasingly finer sands, and finally by finely laminated marls. It is possible that these finest deposits act as a sort of protective cover against the loss of heat. This suggestion would also explain the increase of temperature and the accumulation of heat along the faults, as it is possible to suppose a stronger increase of temperature in the direction of the dislocation in the strata. This suggestion is strengthened by the fact that the especially high horsts are characterized by temperature maxima on the isothermal map.