Geothermics of the Phanerozoic strata of Saskatchewan
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Abstract
New data and revised processing methods yielded a revised understanding of the geothermics of the Phanerozoic strata in Saskatchewan. Temperatures increase with depth from 5 °C at 100 m to 120 °C at 3200 m. Average integral geothermal gradients range between 25 and 30 °C•km-1. Geothermal gradients are higher than average between the Cypress Hills and Swift Current; in the Weyburn-Estevan area; and at Yorkton. Anomalously cold areas are present near the Alberta border and at Saskatoon. Hot anomalies are present due to excess basement heat generation, the insulating effect of low thermal conductivity shale packages, and topographic effects. Colder than average areas coincide with areas of low heat flow. No extremely high geothermal gradients (>50 °C•km-1) or significant vertical heat flow differences (>10 mW•m-2) exist along the outcrop edge, therefore heat conduction is considered the main heat transfer method in the basin.