Crustal Heat Flow
A Guide to Measurement and Modelling

A handbook for geologists and geophysicists who manipulate thermal data; professionals researchers, and advanced students.

G. R. Beardsmore (Author), J. P. Cull (Author)

9780521797030, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 August 2001

336 pages, 94 b/w illus. 16 tables
25.4 x 18 x 1.7 cm, 0.593 kg

'Thermal models of sedimentary basins provide a critical framework to understanding their evolution and the maturation of organic material. … the book succeeds in its stated goal of making links between the underlying physical principles, data collection, and the use of sophisticated basin analysis models. At the same time it provides additional insight into thermal problems not limited to thermal basin analysis. … I will refer to this book often.' Geological Magazine

Crustal Heat Flow: A Guide to Measurement and Modeling is a handbook for geologists and geophysicists who manipulate thermal data, particularly for petroleum exploration. In theory and with practical examples the book discusses the sources of heat within the crust, describes how to maximise the accuracy of temperature data, covers the measurement of the thermal properties of rocks, and explains a number of maturity indicators. The second part covers a range of thermodynamic models of the lithosphere and shows how these can be used to reconstruct the thermal history of individual sedimentary basins. This book will be regarded as a long-term reference source for professionals and researchers. It will also form the basis of advanced undergraduate and graduate student courses in geology, geophysics, engineering, mining, and environmental science, and will be a valuable text for petroleum industry training schemes.

Preface
Part I. The Thermal State of the Earth: 1. Terrestrial heat
2. Heat generation
Part II. Measurement Techniques: 3. Thermal gradient
4. Thermal conductivity
5. Thermal maturity
Part III. Modeling Techniques: 6. Heat flow
7. Lithospheric models
8. Numerical modeling
9. Unraveling the thermal history of sedimentary basins
References.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Engineering: general [TBC], Economic geology [RBGL], Geophysics [PHVG]