LITHOSPHERIC THERMAL REGIMES IN EUROPE

The heat flow pattern of Europe, derived from more than 8000 observati ons, is dominated by a general northeast to southwest increase in geot hermal activity, which is the consequence of the tectonic evolution of the whole continent. This paper reviews the history of the geothermal mapping of Europe, and describes the recently compiled set of geother mal maps of Europe. Surface heat flow is correlated with the age of th e last tectonothermal event, with the near-surface heat production and with the crustal thickness. Deep temperature distributions within the crust-lithosphere are calculated for 1-D, 2-D and simple 3-D models. Characteristic temperature-depth curves are given for some of the majo r tectonic provinces, and the results of various techniques are compar ed. The value of the crustal heat contribution is assessed and a regio nal Moho heat flow pattern is proposed. The Mohorovicic discontinuity is clearly not an isothermal surface, neither is the heat flow from be low the crust constant.