The reconstruction of the paleotemperature of the Earth’s surface on Yuzhny Island (Novaya Zemlya archipelago) according to geothermal data

Abstract

According to the complex geothermal investigation results (thermal conductivity, rocks thermal heterogeneity measurements as well geothermal gradient and heat flow calculation) on Yuzhny Island of Novaya Zemlya archipelago (Pavlovskoye lead-zinc field), the paleotemperature on the surface in the historical past are modeled. The results of the climatic history reconstruction in this region are discussed. An earlier heat flow estimate on on Yuzhny Island of Novaya Zemlya archipelago (46 mW/m2) could be underestimated if we assume the glacier absence during the “Pleistocene / Holocene warming”. In this case, the calculated heat flow will be 55 mW/m2. If during the “small glacial period” the glacier existence lasted for 20 thousand years, then the first heat flow estimate is more likely.

Keywords

• paleotemperature
• Earth’s surface
• reconstruction
• Novaya Zemlya
• geothermy
• heat flow