Microbial life can thus exist in isolated geothermal refuges despite long-term subfreezing surface conditions.
The geothermal gradient data in this study are derived from systematic steady-state measurements, oil and gas testing, and temperature logging.
This section presents some indirect and direct evidence of hydrogen production in the seafloor and in continental geothermal systems.
Often permafrost has disappeared because the geothermal heat flux is slightly greater than elsewhere.
As the authors point out, geothermal energy is, at best, a semi-renewable resource, akin to 'mining' heat from the ground.
Nearisothermal decompression and partial melting indicate a high geothermal gradient.
The trade-off between geothermal gradient and denudation generally means that the two thermal methods may overestimate denudation.
Monitoring is also important in the case of reinjection of cooled geothermal water, which is much preferable to surface disposal on environmental grounds.
