Heat flow and the geothermal potential of Egypt |
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| Authors: | Paul Morgan Chandler A Swanberg |
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| Institution: | (1) Departments of Earth Sciences and Physics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, Box 3D, 88003 New Mexico, USA |
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| Abstract: | Preliminary heat flow values ranging from 42 to 175 mW m–2 have been estimated for Egypt from numerous geothermal gradient determinations with a reasonably good geographical distribution, and a limited number of thermal conductivity determinations. For northern Egypt and the Gulf of Suez, gradients were calculated from oil well bottom hole temperature data; east of the Nile, and at three sites west of the Nile, gradients were calculated from detailed temperature logs in shallow boreholes. With one exception, the heat flow west of the Nile and in northern Egypt is estimated to be low, 40–45 mW m–2, typical of a Precambrian Platform province. A local high, 175 mW m–2, is probably due to local oxidational heating or water movement associated with a phosphate mineralized zone. East of the Nile, however, including the Gulf of Suez, elevated heat flow is indicated at several sites, with a high of 175 mW m–2 measured in a Precambrian granitic gneiss approximately 2 km from the Red Sea coast. These data indicate potential for development of geothermal resources along the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez coasts. Water geochemistry data confirm the high heat flow, but do not indicate any deep hot aquifers. Microearthquake monitoring and gravity data indicate that the high heat flow is associated with the opening of the Red Sea. |
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| Keywords: | Heat flow Temperature gradients Silica geothermometer Sodium-potassium-calcium geothermometer Precambrian rocks Egypt Red Sea Gulf of Suez |
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