Heat Transfer in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (NZ): Role of Volcanism and Heating by Plastic Deformation

Abstract

Natural heat transfer at the surface of the Taupo Volcanic Zone by intermittent volcanism and continuous discharge through high temperature geothermal systems is anomalously high (of the order of The role of volcanism involvingmelts from the subducted lithosphere, heating of the crust by other melts from the lithosphere, and heating by plastic deformation of the lithosphere along a hinge line coinciding with the Taupo Volcanic Zone, is described. There is little evidencetosupport a back arc setting and an associated updomingof the asthenosphere, whereas the heat input by plastic shear deformation is significant. The combined heat input by orogenic volcanism and plasticdeformation can explain the observed high heat output.