The Influence of Groundwater Flow on Thermal Regimes in Mountainous Terrain

Active circulation of cool groundwater in mountainous terrain can cause an advective disturbance of the thermal regime. This factor complicates interpretation of data collected in geothermal exploration programs. An isothermal free-surface model has been developed which provides qualitative insight into the nature of an advective disturbance as it is affected by topography, permeability and climate. A fully coupled model of fluid and heat transfer is being developed for quantitative study of idealized mountain hydrothermal systems