Terrestrial Heat Flow in Japan

Abstract

Results of terrestrial heat flow measurements so far made in Japan are briefly reviewed. As seen in the figure 1 in the text, it has been established that the heat flow distribution is quite distinct in and around Japan. On the whole, the high heat flow region coincides with the Cenozoic volcanic region in the area, i. e. the Japan Sea side of the Honshu arc and the low heat flow regions lie on the Pacific Ocean side. The pattern of heat flow distribution seems to have important bearings with many other geological and geophysical aspects of the Japanese islands. A tentative picture of the state under Japanese area is presented based on the mantle connection hypothesis.