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Wheat et al. 2004
Wheat, C.G., Mottl, M.J., Fisher, A.T., Kadko, D., Davis, E.E. and Baker, E. (2004). Heat flow through a basaltic outcrop on a sedimented young ridge flank. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 5: doi: 10.1029/2004GC000700. issn: 1525-2027.

One hundred seven thermal gradients were measured in shallow surface sediments using the submersible Alvin within a 0.5 km2 area on and around the 65-m-high, mostly sediment-covered Baby Bare outcrop located on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Heat flow values range from 0.35 W m-2, which is close to the average value (0.27 W m-2) for the sediment-buried 3.5-Myr-old crust surrounding the outcrop, to as high as 490 W m-2. Some measurements are purely conductive, whereas others are consistent with upward fluid seepage through this sediment layer. Highest heat flow values are found roughly 10 m below the summit along a ridge-parallel fault where shimmering water, springs, and communities of clams were found. Heat flow values surrounding a second fault are elevated to a lesser extent (maximum of 9.2 W m-2). The total power output from this 0.5 km2 area is 1.5 MW, about 10 times greater than the conductive power output predicted for a commensurate area of 3.5-Myr crust. Much of this heat loss is conductive (~84%), consistent with an independent estimate of the convective heat flux from Rn/heat anomalies in spring fluids and in the water column above the springs. Calculations suggest that the 64¿C isotherm, which is the temperature in the surrounding upper crust, is <20 m below the summit, corresponding to a height that is 30 m above the surrounding turbidite plain. These elevated fluid temperatures at shallow depths provide thermal buoyance to drive seafloor seepage from the outcrop.

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Abstract

Keywords
Marine Geology and Geophysics, Heat flow (benthic) and hydrothermal processes, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Heat flow, Volcanology, Hydrothermal systems, Baby Bare, heat flow, heat flux, hydrothermal, radon, ridge flanks
Journal
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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