Revised lunar heat-flow valuesThe 3.5- and 2-year subsurface temperature histories at the Apollo 15 and 17 heat-flow sites have been analyzed, and the results yield significantly lower thermal conductivity determinations than the results of previous short-term experiments. The thermal conductivity determined by probes at a depth of about 150 cm and 250 cm lies in the range 0.9-1.3 times 10 to the -4th W/cm K. On the basis of measurements of variations of surface thorium abundance and inferred crustal thicknesses, the average global heat flux is estimated to be about 1.8 microwatts/sq cm. This requires a uranium concentration of 46 ppb.
Document ID
19770051977
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Langseth, M. G. (Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY, United States)
Keihm, S. J. (Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY, United States)
Peters, K. (Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, N.Y., United States)