Heat flow data from the southeast of South Australia: Distribution and implications for the relationship between current heat flow and the Newer Volcanics Province

Abstract

This paper presents the results of 34 new heat flow estimates taken in 2004 from 16 water bores and 18 petroleum exploration wells in the western Otway Basin. The average estimated heat flow measured across the study area is 65.6±9.4mW/m2, with a range of 42-90mW/m2. There are three recognisable sectors within the study area where heat flow is slightly elevated relative to the background levels. These sectors can be broadly classified as Mount Schank (73.5±0.5mW/m2), Mount Burr (71.2±7.6mW/m2) and Beachport (78.3±10.4mW/m2). Thermal conductivity values for each unit involved in heat flow estimation were determined from laboratory measurements on representative core using a divided bar appara..