Borehole Temperatures and Climate Chance-Observatory Mode

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There is growing evidence that borehole temperature profiles in the upper 300 m of the earth contain recoverable and valuable information on surface temperature histories over the last three centuries, a time period critical for climate change studies. The PI will (1) develop a capability for routine 1 mK (0.001 K) temperature logging of drillholes, (2) evaluate the thermal stability of drillholes (ultimate noise level) in relation to existing theory, (3) partition curvature in borehole temperature profiles into transient and steady-state components through repeat logging, and (4) instrument a test borehole to be used in "observatory mode" with a weather station at the surface and fixed thermistor string down hole. The study will help define procedures for placing error bounds on surface temperature histories and extracting maximum information on climate change out of borehole temperature profiles.