Heat Flow in Iceland

Abstract

A heat flow map of Iceland is newly created. It is based on measurements in over 1000 wells and in several places on estimates and calculation where convection flow and hydrothermal circulation disturbs the regional convective heat flow. The heat flow map of Iceland indicates generally high values with rather large variations ranging from less than 40 to over 300 mW/m2. The highest values generally border or are located inside the volcanic zones. In Borgarfjörður and Breiðafjörður regions in western Iceland is a prominent area with high heat flow that is probably related to the volcanic flank zone of Snæfellsnes. The lowest heat flow is found in the areas farthest away from the volcanic belts in east and west Iceland. The average heat flow for all of Iceland, according to the map, is approximately 175 mW/m2.