Calculations on the Thermal Conditions Around a Salt Diapir*

Temperature modeling around the Vejrum salt structure in Denmark shows that the heat flow near the top is twice the regional heat flow. The temperature in the vicinity of the top of the diapir is thus anomalously high. Overlying permeable formations could therefore be attractive for geothermal energy exploitation. A negative temperature anomaly of −20°C is calculated around the root of the salt body. Comparisons between calculated and measured temperatures are used to test the model. It is shown that measurements of heat flow (or temperature gradients) in wells penetrating the region of groundwater circulation could be used in identification of salt diapirs.