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On the utility of radiogenic heat measurements for uranium exploration
Author(s) -
MogroCampero A.,
Fleischer R. L.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl003i008p00459
Subject(s) - radiogenic nuclide , prospecting , uranium , geology , uranium ore , heat flux , high heat , mineralogy , geophysics , geochemistry , heat transfer , thermodynamics , materials science , metallurgy , physics , mantle (geology) , composite material
A simple model of heat propagation from a buried radioactive deposit is presented and used to evaluate the possibility of interpreting heat flux and temperature measurements as guides in prospecting for uranium. Using parameters from large known uranium deposits, it is concluded that unless the product of ore grade times thickness of the deposit considerably exceeds the largest values known to us at present, the search for elevated heat fluxes and temperatures is not a useful prospecting technique.