Geology Geothermal Heat Flow Calculator
Conductive upward heat fluxk×downward-positive temperature gradient, SIcoherent. Signed flux retained, not convective geothermal heat or resource/safety assessment.
Description
Conductive geothermal heat flux relates thermal conductivity to a declared temperature gradient.
Conductive geothermal heat flux relates thermal conductivity to a declared temperature gradient.1
The adopted depth convention determines the sign of upward flux. Use this tool to calculate the stated observation or conditional model from supplied measurements.
When to use Geology Geothermal Heat Flow Calculator
Use this tool to calculate the stated observation or conditional model from supplied measurements. Establish the sample and coordinate basis, matching units, calibration source and applicable model assumptions.
How to use Geology Geothermal Heat Flow Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the sample and coordinate basis, matching units, calibration source and applicable model assumptions.
- Enter callerMatchedThermalConductivityWattsPerMeterKelvin, actualGeothermalTemperatureGradientKelvinPerMeter, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read result.conditionalConductiveUpwardHeatFluxWattsPerSquareMeter. Interpret each field using the units, signs and evidence rules below.
- If input validation fails, correct the reported field and run again. Before applying a successful result, check the stated reference scope, units, assumptions and any retained unknown evidence.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| callerMatchedThermalConductivityWattsPerMeterKelvin | Caller matched thermal conductivity watts per meter kelvin | number | Required |
| actualGeothermalTemperatureGradientKelvinPerMeter | Actual geothermal temperature gradient kelvin per meter | number | Required |
Require positive thermal conductivity in W/(m×K) and finite signed gradient in K/m. Multiply for signed conductive upward heat flux in W/m² under the declared depth convention. No advective component or conductivity fitting is supplied.
upwardHeatFluxWPerM2=conductivityWPerMK×gradientKPerM Apply the field units and exact ordering, boundary and evidence rules above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| result | Structured result containing the calculation or selected reference fields below | object |
| result.conditionalConductiveUpwardHeatFluxWattsPerSquareMeter | Conditional Conductive Upward Heat Flux Watts Per Square Meter; use the units, sign convention and calculation stated above | number |
{
"input": {
"callerMatchedThermalConductivityWattsPerMeterKelvin": 2,
"actualGeothermalTemperatureGradientKelvinPerMeter": 0.03
},
"output": {
"result": {
"conditionalConductiveUpwardHeatFluxWattsPerSquareMeter": 0.06
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The adopted depth convention determines the sign of upward flux. Results depend on the independently established measurement basis and the exact model assumptions above.
Every listed input requires an explicit value. Unexpected fields, incorrect value types, nonfinite numbers and sparse numeric arrays fail validation; tool-specific bounds and alignment rules apply as described above. Extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. An input error is distinct from a successful calculation that reports a false comparison or retains unknown evidence.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Geology Geothermal Reservoir Temperature Calculator to examine a related aspect: Geothermal reservoir-temperature estimates require an applicable geothermometer and fluid context.
Use Geology Geothermal Gradient Calculator where its separate inputs and scope apply: A two-point geothermal gradient compares temperatures at distinct depths.
References
-
Geology Geothermal Heat Flow Calculator — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Geology Geothermal Reservoir Temperature Calculator
Geothermal reservoir-temperature estimates require an applicable geothermometer and fluid context.
- Geology Geothermal Gradient Calculator
A two-point geothermal gradient compares temperatures at distinct depths.