Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heat flow in northwest Pacific marginal seas

  • Geology
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Heat flow studies in Northwest Pacific marginal seas has a more than 40 years history with more than 4000 heat flow values obtained. The regional average value is 80.4 mW/m2, which is lower than the world's 87 mW/m2, but higher than those of the Eurasia continent and the Pacific Ocean. This reflects the regional crust property in the area. The studies on distribution of the heat flow and contour pattern of heat flow in 1°×1° and 2°×2° scales in Northwest Pacific marginal seas revealed that the most high heat flow anomalies in the area were found along back-are basins and island are in an obviously northeasterly track. Exceptions are the Komandoskaya Basin (KMB), the Izu-Bonin Trough (IBT) and the Mariana Trough (MT), which extend in northwest. The contours of low heat flow marked the boundaries of the continent and the ocean. The present heat flow values reflect the imprint of the last thermal event and relate closely to tectonic activity. The high heat flow gradient areas have high frequency of earthquake. Therefore, the area of faulting controlled the pattern of the heat flow anomalies. Heat flow gradient in 135° direction indicated a major lithosphere transformation oceanward resulting from movement of the earth's material. In this paper, we described patterns of heat flow distribution in the Northwest Pacific, heat flow value changes in horizontal and vertical directions, combining the studies of Shi (1997) on the landforms of the island ares in east Asia and plate movement, and the results of Shi and Zhang (1998) on heat simulation of subduction of active ocean mountain and the activity of islands are. A preliminary model of geodynamics in the Northwest Pacific and its adjacent area was put forward. There is a great lateral heat flow gradient on the surface of the mantle between ocean and continent, which indicates that the materials in asthenosphere move from continent to ocean causing movement of the crust.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baranov, B. V., N. I. Seliverstov, A. V. Muravev et al., 1991. The Komandorsky Basin as a product of spreading behind a transform plate boundary.Tectonophysics 199: 237–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benifield, A. E., 1939. Terrestrial heat flow in Great Britain,Proc. Roy. SOC. Landon (A)173: 428–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullard, E. C., 1939. Heat flow in South Africa.Proc. Roy. Soc. Landon (A)173: 475–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullard, E. C., 1954. The flow of heat through the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.Pro. Roy. Soc., London (A)222: 408–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullard, E. C., A. E. Maxwell and R. Revelle, 1956. Heat flow through the deep sea floor.Advan. Geophys. 3: 153–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burch, T. K. and M. G. Langseth, 1981. Heat flow determination in three DSDP boreholes near the Japan Trench.J. Geophys. Res. 86: 9411–9419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, D. S. and H. N. Pollack, 1975. Global heat flow: A new look.Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 28: 23–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, D. S. and L. Rybach, 1985. Heat flow anomalies and their interpretation.J. Geodyn. 4: 3–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corry, C., C. Dubois and V. Vacquier, 1968. Instrument for measuring Terrestrial heat flow through the ocean floor.Journal of Marine Research 26: 165–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forster, T. D., 1962, Heat flow measurements in the Northeast Pacific and in the Bering Sea.J. Geophys. Res. 67: 2991–2993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gnibidenko, H. S., 1988. The sea of Okhotsk-Kuril islands ridge and Kuril-Kamchatka trench.In: A. E. M. Nairn, G. S. Francis and S. Uyeda eds. The ocean basins and margins. Vol. 7B: The Pacific Ocean, Plenum Press. p. 377–418.

  • He, L., 1994. The arch structure of island arcs. Geological Review.40(1): 1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S., 1998. Aggregate global scale analysis of relationship between heat flow and heat production.Acta geophysica Sinica 41 (suppl.) 26–31. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyndman, R. D., M. G. Langseth and R. P. Von Herzen, 1987. Deep sea drilling project geothermal measurements: A Review.Reviews of Geophysics 25(8): 1563–1582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horai, K. and G. Simmons, 1969. Spherical harmonic analysis of terrestrial heat flow.Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 6: 386–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imanishi, M., F. Kimata, N. Inamori, R. Miyajima, T. Okuda, K. Takai and K. Hirahara, 1996. Horizontal displacements by GPS measurements at the Okinawa-Sakishima Islands (1994–1995).Earthquake 49(2): 417–421. (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, T., S. Yoshioka and S. Miyazaki, 1999. Interplate coupling in southwest Japan deduced from inversion analysis of GPS data.Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 115: 17–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jessop, A. M., M. Hobart, and J. G. Sclater, 1976. World heat flow data compilation-1975. Geothermal series No. 5, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, L. and N. Li, 1997. Advancements of heat flow studies in the marginal seas of the Northwest Pacific.Marine Sciences 4: 17–20. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanamori, H., 1971. Great earthquakes at island ares and the lithosphere.Tectonophysics 12: 187–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinoshita, M. and M. Yamano, 1997, Hydrothermal regime and constraints on reservoir depth of the Jade site in the Mid-Okinawa Trough inferred from heat flow measurement.J. Geophys. Res. 102(B2): 3184–3194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, W. H. K. and S. Uyeda, 1965. Review of heat flow data.Geophys. Monogr. Am. Geophys. Union 8: 87–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N., 1990. On the geologic nature of Okinawa Trough.Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica 21(6): 536–543. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N., 1994. Primary study on the heat flow measurement in the shallow sea.J. Ocean Univ. Qingdao 24(2): 263–270. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N. (ed.), 1995. Heat Flow in the Okinawa Trough. Qingdao Press, Qingdao, P. R. China. p. 9–94. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N., 1996. Terrestrial heat flow off the Chinese Sea.In: J. Y. Wang et al., eds., Geothermics in China, Seismological Press, Beijing. p. 36–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N. and L. Jiang, 1997. Geothermal resources of the marginal seas in the northwest Pacific. PACON97 Proceeding, Honolulu, Hawaii. p. 230–239.

  • Li, N., L. Jiang, and Ch. Li, 1998. A study on the nature of crustal structures of the Okinawa Trough.Oceanol. et Limnol. Sin. 29(4): 441–450. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N., S. Zhao and B. Vaseleuv, eds., 2000. Geology in the Marginal Seas of the Northwest Pacific. Jilin Education Press, Changchun. p. 117–136; 472–477. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G. (Chief Ed.), 1992. Geologic-geophysics Features of China Seas and Adjacent Regions. Science Press. p. 118–133. (in Chinese)

  • Mrozowski, C. L. and D. E. Hayes, 1979. The evolution of the Parece Vela Basin, eastern Philippine Sea.Earch Planet. Sci. Lett. 46: 49–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagumo, S., H. Kinashita, J. Kasahara et al., 1986. Report on DELP 1984 Cruise in the Middle Okinawa Trough, Part II: Seimic study.Bull. ERI. Univ. Tokyo 61(2): 167–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, J., H. Tokuyama, M. Shinohara, K. Suyehiro and A. Taira, 1998. Seismic record of tectonic evolution and backarc rifting in the southern Ryukyu island are system.Tectonophysics 294: 21–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, B. and J. G. Sclater, 1977. An analysis of the variation of ocean floor bathymetry and heat flow with age.J. Geophys. Res. 82: 803–827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollack, H. N., S. J. Hurter and J. R. Johnson, 1993. Heat flow from the earth's interior: Analysis of the global data set.Reviews of Geophysics 31: 267–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, C. T. and P. L. Li, 1991. Study of heat flow in Pearl River mouth basin.China Offshore Oil and Gas (Geology) 5(6): 7–18. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sclater, J. G. and J. Francheteau, 1970. The implications of terrestrial heat flow observations on current tectonic and geochemical models of the crust and upper mantle of the earth.Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 20: 509–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sclater, J. G. and K. D. Klitgord, 1973, A detailed heat flow, topographic and magenetic survey across the Galapagos spreading center at 88° W.J. Geophys. Res. 78 (29): 6951–6975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sclater, J. G., D. Karig, L. A. Lawver and K. Louden, 1976. Heat flow, depth, and crustal thickness of the marginal basins of the south Philippine Sea.J. Geophys. Res. 81: 309–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sclater, J. G., C. Jaupart and D. Galson, 1980. The heat flow through oceanic and continental crust and the heat loss of the earth.Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 18: 269–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seno, T. and Y. Yamanaka, 1998. Are stresses determined by slabs: Implications for mechanisms of back-are spreading.Geophys. Res. Lett. 25: 3227–3230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shemenda, A., 1993. Subduction of the lithosphere and back are dynamics: Insights from physical modeling.J. Geophys. Res. 98: 16167–16185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Y. and Q. Wang, 1993. The withdraw of subduction zone and the back are extension.Acta Geophysica Sinica 36(1): 37–43. (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, X., 1997. The landforms of the island arcs in east Asia and plate movement.Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 17(4): 91–99. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, X., 1998. Spatial differences of the earthquake distribution along the island-arcs in the western Pacific and their causes.Seismology and geology 20(4): 399–404. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Y. and Q. Wang, 1993. The withdraw of subduction zone and the back arc extension.Acta Geophysica Sinica 36(1): 37–43. (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, G. and K. Horai, 1968. Heat flow data.J. Geophys. Res. 73: 6608–6629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smirnov, Ya. B. and V. M. Sugrobov, 1982. Terrestrial heat flow in the northwestern Pacific.Tectonophysics 83: 109–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smirnov, Ya. B., V. M. Sugrobov, Yu. I. Galushkin et al., 1995. Terrestrial heat flow in the Transition zone from Asia to the NW Pacific Ocean.In: M. L. Gupta and M. Yamano eds. Terrestrial heat Hlow Geothermal Energy in Asia. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Dehli. p: 239–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. and D. E. Hayes, 1983. Origin and history of the south China Basin.Geophys. Monogr. Am. Geophys. Union 27: 23–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uyeda, S. and K. Horai, 1964. Terrestrial heat flow in Japan,J. Geophys. Res. 69: 2121–2124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., R. D. Hyndman and M. Yamano, 1995. Thermal regime of the southwest Japan subduction zone: effects of age history of the subducting plate.Tectonophysics 248: 53–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., J. Wang and Z. Ma, 1998. On the asymmetric distribution of heat loss from the Earth's interior.Chinese Science Bulletin 43: 1566–1570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, T., M. G. Langseth and R. N. Anderson, 1977. Heat flow in the back-arc basins of the western Pacific.In: Talwani, M. and Pitman, C., eds., III, Island Arcs, Deep Sea Trenches, and Back-arc Basins. Maurice Ewing Ser. 1, Am. Geophys. Un., Washington, D. C. p. 113–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, S. G., Z. R. Chen and K. Y. Xia, 1991. Heat flow measurement in north part of Zengmu Basin of Nasha Islands. Proceeding of Geological and Geophysical Research on Nansha Islands, China Ocean Press. p. 115–120. (in Chinese)

  • Xia, K. Y., S. G. Xia, Z. R. Chen et al., 1994. Geothermal Characteristics of the South China Sea.In: M. L. Gupta and M. Yamano eds. Terrestrial Heat Flow Geothermal Energy in Asia. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Dehli. p. 113–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, K. Y., S. G. Xia, Z. R. Chen et al., 1995. Geothermal characteristics of the south China Sea.In: Gupta, M. L. And Yamano, M., eds., Terrestrial Heat Flow and Geothermal Energy in Asia, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Dehli. p. 173–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamano, M. and M. Kinoshita, 1995. Heat flow in the Philippine Sea.In: H. Tokuyama ed. Geology and Geophysics of the Philippine Sea, Terra Scientific Publishing Company (Terrapub), Tokyo. p. 59–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamano, M., Yu. V. Shevaldin, P. S. Zimin et al., 1996. Heat flow of the Japan Sea.In: N. Isezaki, ed., Geology and Geophysics of the Japan Sea, Terra Scientific Publishing Company (Terrapub), Tokyo. p. 61–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamano, M., M. Kinoshita and T. Yamagata, 1997. Heat flow distribution around the Japanese Islands.Chishitsu News 517: 12–19. (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamano, M. and S. Uyeda, 1988. Heat flow.In: A. E. M. Nairn, F. G. Stehle And S. Uyeda eds. Terrestrial Heat Flow and Geothermal Energy in Asia, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi. p. 173–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao B., W. J. Zheng, D. E. Hayes et al., 1994. The Geological memoir of South China Sea Surveyed Jointly by China and USA. Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, PRC and Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, G. and Y. Zhao, 1992. Correlation between the structures of crust and upper mantle and the thermal events.Seismology and Geology 6(3): 49–58 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, P., J. Wang and J. Wang, 1996. Heat flow and heat production relation.Geology Science 31(3): 297–306. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seismology Bureau of Qingdao, 266071, Qingdao, China

    Jiang Lili

  2. Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China

    Li Guanbao & Li Naisheng

Authors
  1. Jiang Lili
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Guanbao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Li Naisheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiang Lili.

Additional information

Supported by Science & Technology Bureau of Qingdao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lili, J., Guanbao, L. & Naisheng, L. Heat flow in northwest Pacific marginal seas. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 22, 344–355 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843628

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843628

Key words

Search

Navigation