<p>The trouble with geothermal gradients is they are not the same everywhere. It is generally accepted that the geothermal gradient is 25-30 °C/km but there can be local variations. In <a href="https://energymining.sa.gov.au/geothermal/exploration_and_development/What_is_Geothermal_Energy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">South Australia</a> the gradient is generally 30° C/km, but in the deeper parts of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_Basin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Cooper Basin</a> the gradient is 55-60 °C/km. <a href="https://www.ablison.com/what-is-the-geothermal-gradient/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Elsewhere</a>, at a depth of 200 ft the temp is 11 C. <a href="http://www.geoelec.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/UK-deep-geothermal-resources_JBusby.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">In the UK</a> the average geothermal gradient is 26 °C/km, but locally it can be in excess of 35°C/km.</p>
<p>With near surface depths, the <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1172/report.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ground temperature will vary with depth according to the time of day</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NIbWM.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NIbWM.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>So to get an accurate geothermal map for your region would require localized data.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-21T09:28:48.117Z
2021-02-21T09:28:48.117Z
Fred
<p>Is there a good chart of the geothermal gradient but near the surface? I haven't been able to find one because they are primarily studied at larger depths, but I would like to know the equilibria at different depths within 1 kilometer.</p>

<geothermal-heat><reference-request>
Geothermal gradient near surface?
PhiEarl
# Geothermal gradient near surface?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-02-20)

Is there a good chart of the geothermal gradient but near the surface? I haven't been able to find one because they are primarily studied at larger depths, but I would like to know the equilibria at different depths within 1 kilometer.

**Tags:** geothermal-heat, reference-request


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-02-21. Score: 3

The trouble with geothermal gradients is they are not the same everywhere. It is generally accepted that the geothermal gradient is 25-30 °C/km but there can be local variations. In [South Australia](https://energymining.sa.gov.au/geothermal/exploration_and_development/What_is_Geothermal_Energy) the gradient is generally 30° C/km, but in the deeper parts of the [Cooper Basin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_Basin) the gradient is 55-60 °C/km. [Elsewhere](https://www.ablison.com/what-is-the-geothermal-gradient/), at a depth of 200 ft the temp is 11 C. [In the UK](http://www.geoelec.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/UK-deep-geothermal-resources_JBusby.pdf) the average geothermal gradient is 26 °C/km, but locally it can be in excess of 35°C/km.

With near surface depths, the [ground temperature will vary with depth according to the time of day](https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1172/report.pdf).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/NIbWM.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/NIbWM.png)

So to get an accurate geothermal map for your region would require localized data.


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