Earthquakes below the Yellowstone caldera originate at very shallow depths, about 4 kilometers on average. Below this depth, the rocks are at about 400°C, too hot and weak to store elastic energy. Based on this data, answer the following questions: a. Calculate the average geothermal gradient in the first 4 kilometers beneath the Yellowstone caldera, assuming an average surface temperature of 0°C (32°F) and a temperature at 4 kilometers of 400°C (752°F). (For this example, the geothermal gradient, which is the increase in temperature with depth, should be measured in degrees centigrade per 100 meters.) b. At about what depth is the groundwater below the Yellowstone caldera hot enough to “boil” and therefore capable of generating a geyser?
Earthquakes below the Yellowstone caldera originate at very shallow depths, about 4 kilometers on average. Below this depth, the rocks are at about 400°C, too hot and weak to store elastic energy. Based on this data, answer the following questions: a. Calculate the average geothermal gradient in the first 4 kilometers beneath the Yellowstone caldera, assuming an average surface temperature of 0°C (32°F) and a temperature at 4 kilometers of 400°C (752°F). (For this example, the geothermal gradient, which is the increase in temperature with depth, should be measured in degrees centigrade per 100 meters.) b. At about what depth is the groundwater below the Yellowstone caldera hot enough to “boil” and therefore capable of generating a geyser?
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
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| Earthquakes below the Yellowstone caldera originate at very shallow depths, about 4 kilometers on average. Below this depth, the rocks are at about 400°C, too hot and weak to store elastic energy. Based on this data, answer the following questions: a. Calculate the average geothermal gradient in the first 4 kilometers beneath the Yellowstone caldera, assuming an average surface temperature of 0°C (32°F) and a temperature at 4 kilometers of 400°C (752°F). (For this example, the geothermal gradient, which is the increase in temperature with depth, should be measured in degrees centigrade per 100 meters.) b. At about what depth is the groundwater below the Yellowstone caldera hot enough to “boil” and therefore capable of generating a geyser? |
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