Depth to the bottom of magnetic layer in South America and its relationship to Curie isotherm,Moho depth and seismicity behavior

We have estimated the DBML（depth to the bottom of the magnetic layer） in South America from the inversion of magnetic anomaly data extracted from the EMAG2 grid. The results show that the DBML values, interpreted as the Curie isotherm, vary between -10 and -60 km. The deepest values（〉-45） are mainly observed forming two anomalous zones in the central part of the Andes Cordillera. To the east of the Andes, in most of the stable cratonic area of South America, intermediate values（between -25 and-45 km） are predominant. The shallowest values（〈-25 km） are present in northwestern corner of South America, southern Patagonia, and in a few sectors to the east of the Andes Cordillera. Based on these results, we estimated the heat flow variations along the study area and found a very good correlation with the DBML. Also striking is the observation that the thermal anomalies of low heat flow are closely related to segments of flat subduction, where the presence of a cold and thick subducting oceanic slab beneath the continent, with a virtual absence of hot mantle wedge, leads to a decrease in the heat transfer from the deeper parts of the system.After comparing our results with the Moho depths reported by other authors, we have found that the Curie isotherm is deeper than Moho in most of the South American Platform（northward to -20°S）, which is located in the stable cratonic area at the east of the Andes. This is evidence that the lithospheric mantle here is magnetic and contributes to the long wavelength magnetic signal. Also, our results support the hypothesis that the Curie isotherm may be acting as a boundary above which most of the crustal seismicity is concentrated. Below this boundary the occurrence of seismic events decreases dramatically.

Geothermal structure revealed by curie isothermal surface under Guangdong Province,China

Guangdong Province in Southeast China is noted for its numerous geothermal resources due to tectonic episodes,mainly occurred during the Cretaceous.The surface heat flow and geothermal gradient are the most direct ways to understand the temperature of the Earth.However,geothermal resources are poorly utilized in Guangdong Province due to limited numbers of boreholes and surficial hydrothermal fluids.To improve the understanding of underground temperature distribution in Guangdong Province,we have applied power-density spectral analysis to aeromagnetic anomaly data to calculate the depth of the Curie isothermal surface.Upward continuation is applied and tested to the magnetic data.The calculated Curie isotherm is between 18.5 km and 25 km below surface.The fluctuation in the depth range reflects lateral thermal perturbations in the Guangdong crust.In particular,the eastern,northern,western and coastline areas of the province have a relatively shallow Curie isotherm.By comparing the surface heat flow,geothermal gradient,distribution of Mesozoic granite-volcanic rocks,and natural hot springs,we conclude that during Mesozoic,magmatism exerted great influence on the deep thermal state of Guangdong Province.A shallow Curie isotherm surface,as well as numerous natural hot springs and high heat flow,show clear signatures of shallow heat sources.

StudyofCurieisothermalsurfaceinSichuanBasinandtheseismicareaonitswesternmar┐gin

Using the aeromagnetic data and the method of 3-D magnetic stratum inversion, the data of aeromagnetic anomalies in the investigated region have been processed; and thereby the quantitative buried depth of the Curie isothermal surface in Sichuan Basin and its western marginal area has been obtained. The reliability of the inversion results has been confirmed by the features of regional tectonics, the distribution of geothermal gradient and the results of deep seismic sounding. By analyzing the deep geothermal field, it is concluded that the followings are the environmental conditions for the development and occurrence of earthquakes in the western marginal area of Sichuan Basin: (1) The collision of the Yangtze block with the Sichuan Qinghai block and Kangdian rhombic block has produced strong stress accumulation; and (2) Plastic creep in the middle lower crust owing to the upwelling of mantle flux has provided an adjusting unit for rock rupture and stress release.

Geothermal distribution characteristics and sedimentary basin geothermal system in the severe cold region of Northeast China

In this study,Shengli fault depression,Tangyuan fault basin,and northern Songliao Basin in Yitong‒Yilan fault zone of Heilongjiang province are considered the research areas for geothermal anomaly.Based on the temperature of the deep thermal reservoir,the hydrothermal fl uid channel,caprock thickness,and the mode of heat transfer,which are the main factors controlling the geothermal reservoir formation,we examined geothermal resource system of the underground HDR in this area.First,we inversed the aeromagnetic data,calculated the Curie isotherm depth,analyzed the geothermal distribution characteristics,and estimated the temperature of the deep heat source.Second,we applied the controlled source audio frequency magnetotelluric(CSAMT)and magnetotelluric(MT)methods to obtain the deep electrical structure of the study area.We determined the thickness of the caprock and the hydrothermal fluid channel.Finally,we obtained the borehole geothermal steady-state temperature measurement data and water sample chemical analysis data from the logging temperature curves of 24 wells to infer the mode of heat transfer.Based on the results,we built a model of the geothermal system of the sedimentary basin in this area.The results show that the depth of Curie isotherm in the study area is 17–39 km.The resistivity of sedimentary caprock in the north of Songliao basin is low,and there exists a deep heat source,which is mainly thermal convection.In contrast,in Shengli and Tangyuan fault basins,heat conduction is dominant.Based on the geothermal system model,we conclude that the area from Daqing to Lindian in Songliao basin has a thermal-convection-dominated sedimentary basin geothermal system.Heat exchange is realized by the upwelling of mantle-derived thermal materials through fracture channels.The thick sedimentary caprock reduces the heat loss.It can be a target for sustainable development and utilization of HDR.

Influence of partial substitution of cerium for lanthanum on magnetocaloric properties of La_(1–x)Ce_xFe_(11.44)Si_(1.56) and their hydrides

The structure and magnetocaloric properties of La1–xCexFe11.44Si1.56 and their hydrides La1–xCexFe11.44Si1.56Hy（x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4） were investigated.The samples crystallized mainly in the cubic Na Zn13-type structure with a small amount of α-Fe phase as impurity.The lattice constants and Curie temperature presented the same change tendency with increasing of Ce content.For the hydrides, the influence of Ce content on lattice constants was weakened and the values of H concentration y were approximate to be 1.56.The La1–xCexFe11.44Si1.56 compounds exhibited large values of isothermal entropy change –ΔSm around the Curie temperature TC under a low magnetic field change of 1.5 T.The value of –ΔSm increased and then decreased with increasing Ce content, reached the maximum, 26.07 J/kg·K for x=0.3.TC increased up to the vicinity of room temperature by hydrogen absorption for the Ce substituted compounds, but TC only slightly decreased with increasing Ce content.The first-order metamagnetic transition was still kept in the hydrides and the maximum values of –ΔSm were lower than those of the La1–xCexFe11.44Si1.56 compounds, but still remained large values, about 10.5 J/kg K under a magnetic field change of 1.5 T.The values of –ΔSm were nearly independent of the Ce content and did not increase with increasing x for the hydrides.The La1–xCexFe11.44Si1.56Hy（x=0–0.4） hydrides exhibited large magnetic entropy changes, small hysteresis loss and effective refrigerant capacity covered the room temperature range from 305 to 317 K.These hydrides are very useful for the magnetic refrigeration applications near room temperature under low magnetic field change.