Collaborative Research: Establishing a U.S. Marine Heat Flow Capability

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The flow of heat from the interior of the Earth through the sea floor is of fundamental importance because it relates to or reflects a wide variety of Earth System processes. In spite of its increasing importance related to methane seeps, hydrothermal flow, gas hydrates (a potential alternative energy source), and other applications, there has been a gradual decline of U.S. heat flow measurement capability. Currently, there is no heat flow system available to the US research community. This project will establish and maintain a U.S. heat flow capability at modest cost, using existing equipment under the umbrella of the coring facility at Oregon State University. The broader impacts are clear; the proposed heat flow facility will save the U.S. heat flow capability, thereby enabling essential research.