Geothermal gradient

The geothermal gradient is the rate at which the Earth's temperature increases with depth within the Earth's crust.

What controls the geothermal gradient

• Internal heat flow: Heat from the mantle and radioactive decay.
• Type of crust: continental and oceanic
• Tectonic activity: subduction, rifting, and volcanism
• Presence of magma: This can significantly increase local temperatures.

Geological significance

The geothermal gradient helps us understand thermal history, magma formation, metamorphism, exhumation, geothermal energy, and tectonic evolution.

Furthermore, it is a central variable in geodynamics, thermochronology, geophysics, and petrology.