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Crustal Heterogeneity of Antarctica Signals Spatially Variable Radiogenic Heat Production
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Crustal Heterogeneity of Antarctica Signals Spatially Variable Radiogenic Heat Production
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Journal Article
Crustal Heterogeneity of Antarctica Signals Spatially Variable Radiogenic Heat Production
2024
Overview
Geothermal heat flow (GHF) is a key basal boundary condition for Antarctic ice‐sheet flow. Large‐scale variations are resolved by several recent models but knowledge of the smaller‐scale variations, crucial for ice sheet dynamics, is limited by unresolved variations in crustal radiogenic heat production. To define this at continent‐scale we use 3D gravity inversion constrained by seismic Moho estimates to identify variations in crustal composition and geometry beneath thick ice. Geochemically‐defined empirical relationships between density and heat production capture the global average trend and its variability, and allow to estimate from upper‐crust density spatial variations in radiogenic heat production. Significant variations are observed typically 1.2–1.6 μW/m3, and as high as 2 μW/m3 in West Antarctica. The contribution to GHF from these heat‐production variations is similarly variable, typically 16–24 mW/m2 and up to 60 mW/m2. The mapped variations are significant for correctly representing GHF in Antarctica. Plain Language Summary Antarctica's crustal structure ‐ including sedimentary basins, the igneous and metamorphic crust, and the interface between the crust and mantle ‐ dictates the delivery of heat from depth to the ice sheet's base, with capacity to influence ice sheet flow. Crustal structure is not well‐understood due to the extensive and thick ice cover combined with limited geophysical observations. We investigate the variations in crustal geometry and density, by examining anomalies in the Earth's gravity field and using independent depth constraints from seismic studies. Our findings indicate substantial variations in heat production characterized by heterogeneous crustal structure, influencing the heating of the ice sheet's base to a significant degree. Key Points A new Antarctic crustal model is derived by seismic‐constrained gravity inversion Variations in crustal radiogenic heat production are inferred from upper‐crust density and geochemical data The potential impact of heterogeneity in crustal heat production for geothermal heat flow is quantified
