Groundwater flow in the Kanto Plain estimated by distribution of subsurface temperature

Abstract

Temperature-depth profiles and hydraulic heads were measured on 117 observation wells in the Kanto Plain. Subsurface temperature distribution in the Kanto Plain is assumed that it is strongly affected by heat advection due to groundwater flow. The low temperature area is distributed in highlands such as hills and uplands located in the surroundings of the plain. On the other hand, the high temperature area is located in lowlands around the central part of the plain and the coastal part of the Tokyo Bay. Considering the observed distribution of subsurface temperatures and hydraulic heads, we estimated that there are two groundwater flow systems which discharge to the central part of the plain and the coastal part of the Tokyo Bay.