Heat flow in the central Gulf of California

One hundred and five new heat flow measurements in the Gulf of California support the premise that conductive heat loss is not the only mode by which heat is lost from a sea floor spreading center, even in an area with thick sediment cover. Theoretical estimates suggest that the average heat flow in the Guaymas and Farallon basins should be at least 11 μcal/cm2 s (HFU) (325 mW/m2). Outside a 30-km-wide zone centered on the central troughs, the heat flow values measured are reasonably uniform but average only 4.3±0.2 HFU (180±10 mW/m2). Although the high sedimentation rate may depress the measured heat flow, the effect probably does not exceed 15%. Some heat, particularly in the smaller basins, may be lost to the adjacent cooler continental blocks. The discrepancy between the measured and predicted heat losses, which is at least 30%, may be due to the discharge of thermal waters, through the thinner sediment cover in the central troughs or along active faults.

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