Measurements of heat flow at the preliminary mohole site off Mexico

Abstract

A heat flow through the ocean floor of 2.81 × 10−6 cal/cm2 sec was measured during the preliminary drilling phase of project Mohole 75 km east of Guadalupe Island in the Pacific. Temperature gradient measurements were made in the hole during the progress of the drilling in the unconsolidated sediments, and the results check well with other measurements made nearby by the probe technique from oceanographic vessels. The high heat flow is consistent with the known structure and tectonic activity of the region.