The geothermal gradient describes the rate of temperature increase with depth in the Earth's crust. In the shallow continental crust, this gradient is relatively steep compared to deeper crustal or mantle levels, reflecting the concentration of heat-producing radiogenic elements and insulating effects of the upper crust.
The average geothermal gradient in the upper (roughly top 10-20 km) continental crust is typically around 25-30°C per kilometre. Over 15 km, this would correspond...
Full option-by-option analysis available to enrolled students.