THERMAL METHODS 



973 



Porosity and Temperature. — The graphs of Figure 596 provide a 

 comparison of the depth-temperaturef curve with the porosity-depth 

 curvesi of an oil well (Ransom No. 1, Syracuse, Hamilton County, 

 Kansas). This data shows that the increase of the temperature gradient with 



TEMPCRATURC- DEGREES FXHRCNHEIT 



Fig. 595. — Graphs showing depth versus temperature for oil wells in various sections of the United 

 States. (Courtesy of Howard Pyle.) 



depth may be dependent upon the moisture content of the rocks. § The 

 product of the thermal gradient and the thermal conductivity represents 

 the flow of heat through a vertical column of unit cross-section area in time 

 t, (Equation 1). 



q-kt — 



t N. W. Bass, "Geologic Investigations in West Kansas," State Geol. Survey Kansas, Bull. 11 

 (1926). p. 83. 



X W. W. Rubey, "The effect of gravitational compaction on the structure of sedimentary rocks," 

 Bull. A.A.P.G.. Vol. 11, No. 6 (June, 1927), pp. G21-632. 



§ C. E. Van Orstrand, "Application of Geothermics to Geology," Bull. A.A.P.G., Vol. 18, 1, 

 Jan., 1934. 



