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

从地球内部穿过海底的热量流动具有根本的重要性，因为它涉及或反映了地球系统各种各样的过程。尽管热流测量在甲烷渗漏、热液流动、天然气水合物（一种潜在的替代能源）和其他应用中越来越重要，但美国的热流测量能力却在逐渐下降。目前，美国研究界没有可用的热流系统。该项目将在俄勒冈州立大学的取心设施的保护下，利用现有设备，以适度的成本建立和维持美国的热流能力。更广泛的影响是显而易见的；拟议的热流设施将节省美国的热流能力，从而使必要的研究成为可能。

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.