Radiogenic Heat Generation Research Articles

On energy balance of the tectonosphere

Purpose of this work is to refine and complete the energy balance of the Earth's tectonosphere by thermal modeling. The methodology includes a detailed comprehensive analysis of heat generation in the crust and upper mantle throughout the studied geological history of the Earth for 4.2 billion years. Results. Experimental data on radiogenic heat generation in the Earth's crust and upper mantle are summarized. The need for a separate consideration of the heat balance for regions with different endogenous regimes on platforms, in geosynclines and oceans has been established. The average values of heat generation in the crust are about 0.4–0.5 µW/m3. In the upper mantle they are 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08 µW/m3, respectively. When taking into account the thicknesses of the solid crust (about 40 km under the platforms and geosynclines and about 6 km under the oceans) and the upper mantle (430-460 km), almost the same number of sources is found under all regions. They are distributed differently. This leads to different variants of geological history. It can be assumed that there are radiogenic heat sources with an intensity of about 0.02 μW/m3 in the transition zone to the lower mantle and in the lower mantle up to about 1100 km. At greater depths in the shell (the total mass of the Earth outside the core) and core, there are no sources. The energy balance of the tectonosphere is calculated for the platforms. Over 3.6 billion years (the period over which it is possible to describe the geological history quite accurately), about 73.5·1014 J/m2 has been carried out by the heat flow. The conductive heat flow during this time carried out 59.5·1014J/m2. The difference corresponds exactly to the needs of all active processes of this period. Originality. The experimental dates of the events also coincide with those calculated by the theory (some of which are for the first time). Practical significance. For the Phanerozoic geosynclines, such control has also been partially performed. The independently determined evolution of the mass flow (which is also of practical importance) in the geological history also agrees with the calculated values.

A study on the geothermal circulation system of granite: An example from the Lancang area, Yunnan

This study assesses the geothermal water circulation process of a granite geothermal system in the Lancang area, Yunnan. Cycling processes are studied using water chemistry and isotope analysis techniques. The results show that the water chemistry type of the hot springs in Lancang is Na-HCO3, with TDS values ranging from 246 to 724 mg/l. The granite pluton, as the main heat source, has a high radiogenic heat generation rate (4.17 μW/m3 on average). δD and δ18O in Lancang are close to the global atmospheric and local precipitation lines, indicating that geothermal water originates from atmospheric precipitation. Moreover, the mountainous area from 1295.3 to 1624.5 m above sea level is the main precipitation recharge area. In addition, the main ions of geothermal water mainly come from the dissolution, weathering, and cation exchange of silicate minerals in granite, and Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the water are exchanged with Na+ and K+ in the reservoir, significantly increasing the Na+ and K+ concentrations in the water. The reservoir temperatures are 126.60 °C to 151.32 °C based on the SiO2 geothermometer, and the depths range from 2283.05 to 4024.59 m. The NW- and NE-oriented fault system in Lancang serves as a channel for geothermal water to exit the ground and form hot springs; this water is also mixed with cold water during upwelling, and the mixing ratios are 63 %-84 %. Finally, the model of geothermal water circulation in the Lancang is established.

Temporal and spatial radiogenic heat production rate of granitic plutons from the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt, NE Turkey: Constraints for the geothermal resources

The evaluation of the geothermal potential of the granitic rocks is important in long-term sustainable renewable energy projects due to increasing energy demand. The Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt in NE Turkey contains a variety of granitic plutons changing in age, size, and composition. In this paper, we discussed the temporal and spatial distribution of radiogenic heat production by using the contents of heat-producing elements (U, Th, K) of the granitic plutons. The average U, Th, and K concentrations for the granitic plutons are 2.97 ± 0.95 ppm, 13.48 ± 3.48 ppm and 2.69 ± 0.47 wt% for Paleozoic plutons, 1.83 ± 0.98 ppm, 8.58 ± 5.10 ppm and 1.77 ± 0.80 wt% for Jurassic plutons, 5.24 ± 1.64 ppm, 26.02 ± 6.43 ppm and 3.17 ± 0.49 wt% for Cretaceous plutons, and 3.82 ± 0.90 ppm, 15.79 ± 4.27 ppm and 2.88 ± 0.40 wt% for Eocene plutons, respectively. Radiogenic heat production rates are 1.43–2.73 µW/m3 for Paleozoic plutons, 0.74–1.70 µW/m3 for Jurassic plutons, 0.66–6.28 µW/m3 for Cretaceous plutons and 1.15–5.22 µW/m3 for Eocene plutons. The studied plutons were classified as low- to moderate heat-producing granitoids. However, some Cretaceous and Eocene granitic plutons with radiogenic heat production values of 5.22–6.28 µW/m3 are considered as high heat-producing granitoids. The thermal indications in the region can be related to radiogenic heat generation and the neotectonic activity of the region. Considering the large volume of the Cretaceous- and Eocene- aged granitic plutons in the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt, the moderate to high radiogenic heat production of the granitic plutons in some areas has a significant geothermal impact and can be considered as the potential of enhanced geothermal systems for the future energy demand of the region.

Radiogenic heat production estimation towards sustainable energy drive in northeastern Nigeria

An estimate of the radiogenic heat production (RHP) across the different petrologic units of northeastern, Nigeria was previously not performed. Hence, their geothermal potentials are not widely known. However, an airborne radiometric data of equivalent uranium, (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh,) and percentage potassium (% K) acquired by Nigerian geological survey agency (NGSA) in the year 2009 was deployed in the evaluation of the RHP across the major petrologic outcrops of northeastern, Nigeria. The objective of this study is to estimate the quantity of RHP across the 13 petrologic units of the northeastern Nigerian terrain via the use of an empirical equation (RHP=ρ(0.0952Cu+0.0256CTh+0.0348Ck)). The petrologic units studied are; medium-coarse grained biotite-hornblende granites (OGe), porphyritic biotite-hornblende granites (OGp), banded gneiss (bG), charnokytes (Ch), ignimbrites (JYG), migmatites-gneiss (MG), basalts (bb), Gombe sandstones (GS), Pindiga Formation (PS), Yolde Formation (YL), Bima sandstones (BS), Keri-Keri Formation (KK), and alluvium (AL). Basic/preliminary processing such as; signal integration, signal validation, and examination of spurious data were applied prior to the RHP computation. The results of the heat production analysis performed show the range of RHP to be from 1.11μW/m3 to 3.35μW/m3 Hence, the maximum heat production value of 3.35μW/m3 was recorded along porphyritic biotite-hornblende granites (OGp) rock block, while the least value of 1.11μW/m3 was recorded over alluvium (AL) rock outcrops. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the RHP values over the study location shows a gradual increase from the middle, low heat production (sedimentary zones) to the high heat producing areas (granitic and metamorphic zones) around eastern and western parts. The petrologic units arranged in order of decreasing magnitude of radiogenic heat generation are; OGp > MG > OGe/bG > bb > GS > Ch > JYG > BS > PS/YL > KK > AL. On a general note, the petrologic units studied were classified as low in terms of geothermal character based on comparison with other previous global RHP studies.

Determination of elemental concentrations of radionuclides in Turkish bentonite and calculation of radiogenic heat generation

ABSTRACT Bentonite containing smectite group clay minerals is an industrial raw material with a wide range of uses. In this study, the concentration of uranium, thorium, and radioactive potassium in ninety bentonite samples collected from quarries in Turkey was determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium varied from 0.4 to 18.2 with an average of 4.3 mg/kg, 5.4 to 53.4 with an average of 22.7 mg/kg and 0.3 to 3.4 with an average of 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. The radiogenic heat generation caused by the ionising radiation emitted from these radioactive elements in bentonite samples was calculated in the range of 0.9 to 6.6 µW/m3 with an average of 2.8 µW/m3.

Thermal evolution of the southern part of the Barents Sea (the Fedynsky Arch)

The distribution of thermal conductivity, radiogenic heat generation and heat flow in the Barents Sea southern part, including the Fedynsky Arch, is analyzed. Models of deep temperatures controlling the catagenesis of organic matter thermal conditions are calculated. A 3D temperature model was built up to a 30 km depth, which allowed us to demonstrate cross-sectional temperature maps at various depths in the Earth’s crust. A comparison of the Barents Sea thermal field and seismotomographic model was carried out, which showed that the seismotomographic anomalies are caused by thermal inhomogeneities.

Genetic Analysis of Abnormally High Ground Temperature From the Existence of Magmatic Rock Beneath Pingdingshan Coalfield

Studies on the genetic mechanisms of abnormally high ground temperatures in coalfields are of great significance for the efficient mining of coal mines and the development and utilization of geothermal water. Therefore, we measured the temperature of 45 Cambrian limestone groundwater samples, thermal conductivity values of 11 Cambrian limestone samples, and the contents of uranium, thorium, and potassium-40 of 40 rock samples, aiming to ascertain the heat source of the abnormally high ground temperature in the Pingdingshan coalfield. The results show that the average geothermal gradient in the coalfield is about 3.32°C/100 m, and the calculated values of the average ground heat flow are about 104.28 mW/m2, which demonstrate the abnormally high ground temperature in Pingdingshan coalfield. We also concluded that the whole radiogenic heat generation in sedimentary and magmatic rocks is 1.53 mW/m2, whose contribution rate to the local geothermal flow is only 1.47%. Hence, we can infer that magmatic rocks exposed in or near the coalfield area may supply the heat source for the abnormally high ground temperature beneath Pingdingshan coalfield. A comprehensive analysis further shows that the latest intrusion time of the magmatic rock mass in the coalfield was 35 Ma; its lava temperature was 900°C, its cooling rate is 20.0°C/Ma, and the calculated residual temperature is more than 200.0°C. These values support the idea that the magmatic rocks may be the primary cause of the abnormally high ground temperature in the Pingdingshan coalfield.

INVESTIGATION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESOURCE POTENTIAL USING AERO-MAGNETIC AND AERO-RADIOMETRIC DATA OF KANO, NIGERIA

This study focused on investigating the geothermal resource potential in Kano using high resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric data. A total of sixteen (16) sheets of aeromagnetic data with a block dimension of 55 km x 55 km were processed. Thus, the spectral centroid method which result from low wave number part of the wave number-scaled (depth to the centroid) and high-wave-number portion of the power spectrum (depth to the top) were estimated. Thus, the Curie point depth (CPD), geothermal gradient and heat flow were determined using appropriate parameters. The results showed that the CPD values range from 4.27 km to 19.59 km with an average of 11.83 km, and geothermal gradient ranges from 29.6 oC/km to 135.7 oC/m with an average of 82.7 oC/km while the heat flow ranges from 74 mW/m2 to 339.2 mW/m2 with the average of 206.6 mW/m2. Areas with high heat flow and shallow CPD could be prospective areas for geothermal energy. The values of the radiogenic heat obtained in the study area range from 0.15 to 2.77 μW/m3. It was observed that the highest radiogenic heat generation in the area is greater than the average radiogenic heat values in the continental crust. The information obtained from temperature to depth model reveals that, the Curie temperature could be reached at the depths of 6 km within the regions.

Radiogenic heat production in granitoids from the Sierras de C\xf3rdoba, Argentina

One of the most important processes of heat generation from the Earth's interior is the radioactive decay of isotopes. The main hosts of the major radiogenic elements U, Th and K in the crust are granitoids. The Sierras de Córdoba are formed of dissimilar granitic intrusions emplaced by a series of magmatic events that occurred during the Paleozoic. The different granitoids are classified as A-type, I-type, and S-type, and there is also a magmatic expression corresponding to the Famatinian period which exhibits TTG-type characteristics. In this work, the geochemical concentrations of the radiogenic elements of the granitic intrusions making up the Sierras de Córdoba were compiled in a single database. The radiogenic heat production of the Sierras de Córdoba granitoids was evaluated, making this the first study of radiogenic heat generation in the area. The radiogenic heat production showed variability for the different events, with the highest values found in Achalian magmatism and early Carboniferous magmatism, which are represented by A-type granitoids. The Capilla del Monte pluton has the highest heat production rate, with a value of 4.54 ± 1.38 µW/m3. The lowest values were found in the TTG-type granitoids and in the S-type granitoids, all of which belong to the Famatinian magmatic event. The range of values for this magmatic event goes from 0.26 ± 0.05 µW/m3 for the San Agustin pluton to 1.19 ± 0.50 µW/m3 for the La Playa pluton. An empirical ternary model is presented for the Sierras de Córdoba that involves the concentrations of the elements U, Th and K, and the radiogenic heat production, with a distinction for the petrogenetic types according to the S-I-A-M classification. The thermal manifestations located on the Capilla del Monte pluton could be related to the radioactive heat generation of the intrusion, involving both the neotectonic activity of the area and the radiogenic heat production. The results provide new opportunities for studying temperature variation within some of these intrusions and to evaluate the geothermal potential of the granitoids of Córdoba.

A numerical model for the magmatic heat reservoir of the Las Tres Virgenes volcanic complex, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Numerical models of geothermal systems have achieved considerable progress when dealing with fundamental transport processes. Site-specific geothermal models however, often face the lack of sufficient field data, which leads to under constrained models. Recent field studies in the Las Tres Virgenes volcanic complex (TVVC) provide us with a sound framework to build a numerical model for the magmatic heat reservoir of the geothermal area. Here we present a conceptual model of the system from 30 ka to present based on updated structural and geochronological studies. The heat reservoir is described from Enhanced Seismic Tomography of the TVVC. New field data also allow an estimate of the radiogenic heat generation in the batholith of the study area. Latent heat of crystallization is also considered in the cooling of magmatic intrusions. The transient heat transfer equation is solved with a finite volume numerical method and a conjugate gradient algorithm. The model is calibrated using the estimated heat flow in the area from the literature. The simulation results predict slow cooling of the heat reservoir, with the maximum temperature decreasing about 9 °C in 30 ky. The temperature field within the magmatic heat reservoir overall remains between about 790 °C (8 km bsl) and 300 °C (3 km bsl), in the order of the temperatures at which magmatic processes, such as magma mixing and replenishments, have been inferred from the eruptive history. Whereas the phase ratio (solid/melt) ranges from 1, at the top, to below 0.1 at the bottom of the heat reservoir. Convective transport and explicit thermal-chemical coupling in the heat reservoir is proposed as a future expansion of this work.

P-wave velocities of the upper mantle of the Tethysalpine geosynclines

The aim of the work is to calculate the velocity distribution of the longitudinal seismic waves (VP) in the upper mantle at depths from the discontinuity M to 400 km. The object is the territory of Tethys — the belt of alpine geosynclines crossing all of Eurasia from Gibraltar to the Indonesian archipelago.The model of the first approximation is constructed according to previous studies and our results on island arcs. It was possible to choose the velocity distribution in the upper mantle of Tethys, according to which the travel time close to the observed one was calculated. The degree of coordination is quite sufficient for the recognition of the used distribution of velocity as real. The data on approximately 18,000 earthquakes, the waves from which reached 27 seismic stations, are used. The location of the epicenters of earthquakes and stations ensured the passage of seismic rays precisely along the upper mantle of different Tethys regions. On the island of Sumatra a comparison was made of the constructed travel times with those obtained earlier in the study of the upper mantle of island arcs and coastal ridges of the Pacific Ring. Harmonization of the travel times is considered satisfactory. The VP distribution obtained in this way is compared with the calculated from the ideas of the advective-polymorphic hypothesis. The velocity model of the upper mantle of the Precambrian platform outside the zones of modern activation is complemented by the influence of the anomalous temperatures of both signs in the subsoil of the geosyncline. The result is somewhat different from the calculated earlier for the upper mantle island arc. There are two main reasons for this difference: probability of a somewhat higher radiogenic heat generation in the rocks of the upper mantle of the arc and somewhat smaller typical crustal thickness under the arc. The discrepancies between the models are small, averaging about 0.03 km/s. They do not exceed associated only with the errors of calculations. A noticeable excess of the magnitude of the discrepancies is detected only at a depth of 400 km, where the uncertainty of the calculation results is maximum.The discrepancy between the experimental and calculated velocity distributions in the upper mantle of Tethys is 0.05 km/s. They can be considered coincident.

Distribution of elemental compositions of zeolite quarries and calculation of radiogenic heat generation

ABSTRACT The effectiveness ofthe use of zeolites in different industrial processes depends on their physical-chemical properties that are distinctly connected to their geological deposits. In this study, major oxides, eco-toxic metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd and Pb), and rare earth (Y, La, Ce, Pr and Nd), radioactive (Th and U) and other trace elements contents of eighty-one zeolite samples collected from four different zeolite quarries in Gördes in Turkey were analysed by using energy dispersed X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Also, pH values and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios were determined for zeolite samples. In addition, radiogenic heat generation (RHG) caused by radiations emitted from uranium (U), thorium (Th) and radioactive potassium (40K) in zeolite samples wereestimated.Gördes zeolite contains major oxides, on average, 75.1% SiO2, 14.1% Al2O3, 3.2% K2O, 2.4% CaO, 1.7% Fe2O3, 1.4% MgO, 1.3% Na2O. The average concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Th and U analysed in zeolite samples were found as 24.8, 2.1, 47.830.1 and 6.0 mgkg−1, respectively. According to average SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, the ZO1 quarry contains middle silica zeolites while ZO2, ZO3 and ZO4 quarries contain high silica group zeolites. RHG values estimated for zeolite samples varied from 2.3 µWm−3to 4.1 µWm−3.

A three-dimensional temperature model of the Acoculco caldera complex, Puebla, Mexico, from the Curie isotherm as a boundary condition

Three-dimensional temperature simulations of the Acoculco caldera complex are undertaken to improve our understanding of its thermal regime. This volcanic caldera has been considered a Conduction-Dominated Crystalline-Rock geothermal play based on evidences of low permeability of the formations hosting the heat source. An estimated Curie isotherm at depth is obtained from the de-fractal method to establish the background heat flow in the area. Additionally, local thermal anomalies and radiogenic heat generation are considered. The description of the structures controlling the heat flow is based on limited borehole data along with field observations, it includes stratigraphic columns and fracture zones. The heat transfer equation is solved in steady state with a Finite Volume numerical method and a Conjugate Gradient algorithm. The resulting computational model constitutes a workable instrument to test assumptions on the thermal regime in the Acoculco caldera that can be gradually constrained, as more data become available. Numerical results show that shallow and localized thermal anomalies (750 °C) lead to geothermal gradients as high as those measured in the field. The thermal anomalies turn out between 3300 and 3800 m below ground surface as the mean depth, shallower than those assumed in previous 1D thermal models in this caldera complex.

Assessment of radiogenic heat generation in a flood plain of crystalline Basement rocks

Concentrations of radioelements in a flood plain of Crystalline Basement Complex are determined, with the aim of assessing the radiogenic heat produced in the study area. Ten soil samples are collected for analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry technique from ACME Laboratories. The radiogenic heat contributions by each radioelement in the flood plain varied from 95.70 to 393.37 ρw/kg; 71.68 to 642.56 ρw/kg; and 0.0088 to 0.0188 ρw/kg for uranium, thorium and potassium respectively. However, the total radiogenic heat production varied from 167.39 to 1034.9 ρw/kg, with thorium being the major contributor to the total heat generated in the study area. Nine locations in the study area are characterized by Low Heat Potential (LHP), while the remaining one is characterized by Moderate Heat Potential. On average, the study area could be classified as LHP, which is in agreement with some of the studies in crystalline terrain of Nigeria.

Petrogenesis of leucogranites in collisional orogens

Abstract Leucogranites are a characteristic feature of collisional orogens. Their generation is intimately related to crustal thickening and the active deformation and metamorphism of metapelites. Data from Proterozoic to present day orogenic belts show that collisional leucogranites (CLGs) are peraluminous, with muscovite, biotite and tourmaline as characteristic minerals. Isotopic ratios uniquely identify the metapelitic sequences in which CLGs occur as sources. Organic material in pelitic sources results in f O 2 in CLGs that is usually below the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer. Most CLGs form under vapour-poor conditions with melting involving a peritectic breakdown of muscovite. The low concentrations of Mg, Fe and Ti that characterize CLGs are largely related to biotite–melt equilibria in the source rocks. Concentrations of Zr, Th and rare earth elements are lower than expected from zircon and monazite saturation models because these minerals often remain enclosed in residual biotite during melting. Melting involving muscovite may limit the temperatures achieved in the source regions. A lack of nearby mantle heat sources in thick collisional orogens has led to thermal models for the generation of CLGs that involve flux melting, or large amounts of radiogenic heat generation, or decompression melting or shear heating, the last one emphasizing the link of leucogranites and their sources to crustal-scale shear zone systems.

Thermal footprint of a geological disposal facility containing EURO-GANEX wasteforms

Synroc-Z is a new wasteform being developed to be specifically suited to waste from the advanced EURO-GANEX reprocessing route. This type of waste contains nuclides that release significant amounts of heat during their decay. Here, predictions for radiogenic heat generation from EURO-GANEX wasteforms based on Synroc-Z ceramic and R7T7 glass materials are presented. During reprocessing, any actinides present in the waste-stream are removed to leave only fission products. Simulation results are given demonstrating that, although initially classified as high level waste, the effects of decay mean the wasteforms effectively become intermediate level after 140 years of storage. Furthermore, many of the issues arising from alpha decay will be avoided. During the first 600 years, it is shown that the main source of self heating comes from the decay of Cs-137 and Sr-90. Our calculations show how the significant radiogenic heating by these wasteforms must be considered when defining package sizes and waste loadings. These effects are discussed for both ceramic and glass wasteforms and demonstrate that Synroc-Z provides more flexibility allowing larger packages even at higher waste loadings than R7T7.

The energy balance of Earth’s tectonosphere

Concentrations of K, U, and Th in rocks of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle of platforms, geosynclines, and oceans have been analyzed. Respective values of radiogenic heat generation in upper mantle rocks of the aforementioned types of regions are 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08 μW/m3. As far as platforms are concerned, heat generation there has been found to correlate with geological history, heat flow, and deep-seated temperatures. The energy preservation law in geological processes has been shown to hold.

Особенности постколлизионной эволюции структур, сформировавшихся в обстановке внутриконтинентального надвига

The investigation of intracontinental collision structures is conducted based on the complex model of the thermal and mechanical evolution of overthrusting process for the rheologically layered lithosphere, which includes brittle upper crust, the lower crust and lithospheric upper mantle with different effective viscosity values. Finite element models with Lagrangian approach were used for the problem simulation. It was shown that thermal evolution of continental orogens essentially results from the geometry and topography due to thrusting and postcollision stage. This work concentrates on the thermal parameters influence on the evolution of collision zones aimed to the study of possibility of granite melt formation. Calculations for mean continental initial temperature distribution lead to the conclusion of possibility of granite melt formation for the case of “wet” granite solidus. The horizon of temperatures higher than “wet” granite solidus appears at the level of 30-40 km, moving upward to the depth 15-20 km at postcollision stage. The early postcollision evolution shows some heat flow increase due to the thickening of the upper crust with maximum heat generation rate. Further history leads to the stable heat flow values because additional loading redistribution resulting from the denudation of surface uplift and corresponding sedimentation is small due to the local erosion in our model. It was shown that surface heat losses after the termination of horizontal shortening depend to a greater extent on radiogenic heat generation rather than thermal conductivity value in the upper crust.

Тепловой поток из недр − индикатор глубинных процессов

The energy aspects of the problem of intraterrestrial heat transfer in various forms are discussed. Endogenous causes of conductive heat flow dispersion − radiogenic heat generation, tectonic movements and magmatism (volcanism), including its latent and open discharge in the form of volcanic and hydrothermal activity are considered. The geological ordering of the heat flow in the continental crust is related to convective discharge of the heat and mass flux from the mantle, marked by the isotopic composition of helium in freely circulating underground fluids. The combined transport of heat and helium, as well as the correlation of He isotopic compositions in volcanic and hydrothermal gases and Sr compositions in young lavas, testify to the silicate nature of the heat and mass flow emanating from the mantle reservoirs of different depths.

Energy balance of the Earth’s tectonosphere

Concentration of K, U and Th has been investigated in the rocks of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle of platforms, geosynclines and oceans. The coinsidence has been found between total modern heat emanation in the crust and upper mantle of three types of regions with significant differences in the distribution of sources in depth. The values of upper mantle rocks radiogenic heat generation in these regions are about 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 μW/m 3 respectively. Correspondence of heat generation to geological history, heat flow and deep temperatures has been set for platforms. Implementation of energy conservation law in geological processes has been proven.