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Heat Convection in Warm Springs Valley, Virginia
Author(s) -
Severini Anthony P.,
Huntley David
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1983.tb01943.x
Subject(s) - geology , geothermal gradient , convection , hydrogeology , temperature gradient , hydraulic conductivity , structural basin , geomorphology , thermal conductivity , hydrology (agriculture) , convection cell , combined forced and natural convection , natural convection , geotechnical engineering , geophysics , meteorology , soil science , materials science , physics , composite material , soil water
ABSTRACT Warm Springs Valley, located in northwestern Virginia, is characterized by the discharge of springs from cavernous limestone at temperatures up to 40°C, although the measured geothermal gradient is a normal 10°C/km. The area is therefore hypothesized to be an important example of a situation where thermal convection is sufficient to produce high‐temperature surface waters. A finite‐difference numerical model was constructed to simulate the simultaneous transport of heat and fluid under combined forced and free convection conditions. This model was used to test the hypothesized heat flow system for Warm Springs Valley. The results of the testing show that, within the hydrogeological constraints found at Warm Springs Valley, convection with a normal geothermal gradient is capable of producing 40°C hot springs. The conditions required a zone of enhanced vertical hydraulic conductivity in the area of ground‐water discharge and a deep zone of enhanced horizontal hydraulic conductivity. The enhanced zones are consistent with the geology found in the basin.