Estimates of geothermal gradients and heat flow from BSRs along the Western Continental Margin of india.

Geothermal gradients and heat flow were estimated from the position of Bott om Simulating Reflectors (BSRs) identified on seismic reflection sections f rom the Western Continental Margin of India (WCMI). The estimated geotherma l gradients along the WCMI range between 35 to 65 degreesC/km and heat flow varies from 50 to 130 mW/m(2). The geothermal gradient structure of WCMI i nferred from the BSRs, shows a landward decrease in heat flow coupled with a high heat flow zone in the north and relatively low heat flow zone at the southern end. A decrease of sediment thickness proximal to the ocean/conti nent boundary could explain these high heat flow distribution trends west o f the Laccadive ridge. The Bombay-Saurashtra offshore region emerges as a z one of high heat flow and its proximity to the Deccan volcanic activity at 65 Ma needs further study.