Deep vs. shallow controlling factors of the crustal thermal field - insights from 3D modelling of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin (Arctic Canada)

Significant lateral variations in observed temperatures in the Beaufort‐Mackenzie Basin raise the question on the temperature‐controlling factors. Based on the structural configuration of the sediments and underlying crust in the area, we calculate the steady‐state 3D conductive thermal field. Integrated data include the base of the relic permafrost layer representing the 0 °C‐isotherm, public‐domain temperature data (from 227 wells) and thermal conductivity data. For >75% of the wells the predicted temperatures deviate by 15 K at 10% of the wells) and their basin‐wide pattern of misfit tendency (too cold vs. too warm temperature predictions) point to a locally restricted coupling of heat transport to groundwater flow.