Claims
- 1. The method of locating and mapping the magnitude and extent of small anomalous terrestrial heat flows, comprising the steps of:
- a. detecting radiation emitted by areas of the Earth's surface;
- b. detecting at least two infrared bands where the spectral radiation is described by Planck's Radiation Law, at periodic intervals, as needed to characterize the spectral, spatial, thermal, temporal, and statistical radiation features of the terrestrial radiation;
- c. relating the ratio of at least two infrared bands to the true temperature of the surface terrain;
- d. determining the normal surface temperature for the ambient non-thermally modified terrain;
- e. locating and mapping areas where the true surface temperature is significantly different from the ambient normal-surface temperature;
- f. relating the statistically significant residual temperature difference to a heat flow anomaly;
- g. determining the magnitude and extent, and mapping the heat flow anamoly.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly characterizes a geothermal resource area.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly characterizes an oxiding ore body.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly characterizes an unknown subterranean heat source, peculiar to the location.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly characterizes a heat source, peculiar to the location, from man's environmental surroundings.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly characterizes a heat source, peculiar to the location, associated with an anomalous atmospheric effect.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said terrestrial heat flow anomaly is negative (i.e., the true surface temperature is significantly less than the normal surface temperature) and the area is characterized by a heat sink such as might occur in association with subsurface aquifers or conditions related to the hydrological regime.
Government Interests
This invention was made under, or in, the course of Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48 with the United States Energy Research and Development Administration.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3278746 |
Fiat |
Oct 1966 |
|
3373281 |
McAlister |
Mar 1968 |
|