The flow of heat through the floor of the Atlantic Ocean

Source abstract

Abstract The measurement of the temperature gradient and thermal conductivity in the sediments beneath the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean is described. Measurements were made at five stations. The mean heat flow and conductivity were found to be 0·98 × 10-6 cal/cm2s and 25 × 10-4 cal/cm °Cs. The heat flows at the individual stations range from 0·58 to 1·42 × 10-6 cal/cm2s. The high heat flow is an unexpected result, and it is difficult to find a source for so much heat.