Relative importance of different physical processes on upper crustal specific heat flow in the Eifel-Maas region, Central Europe and ramifications for the production of geothermal energy

Lydia Dijkshoorn, Christoph Clauser

Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy, E. On Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Ger- many;.
Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy, E. On Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Ger- many; *.

DOI: 10.4236/ns.2013.52A039                

Abstract

We study the recent upper crustal heat flow variations caused by long-term physical processes such as paleoclimate, erosion, sedimentation and mantle plume upwelling. As specific heat flow is a common lower boundary condition in many models of heat en fluid flow in the Earth’s crust we quantify its long-term transient variation caused by paleoclimate, erosion or sedimentation, mantle plume upwelling and deep groundwater flow. The studied area extends between the Eifel mountains and the Maas river inCentral Europe. The total variation due to these processes in our study area amounts to tectonic events manifested in the studied area 20 mW/m², about 30% of the present day specific heat flow in the region.

Keywords

Crustal Heat Flow; Physical Process Modeling; Eifel; Geothermal Energy; Hydrothermal System

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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