Geothermal asymmetry in transform faults of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Statistical analysis of heat flow values measured in transform faults of the equatorial part of the Atlantic Ocean has been performed. Owing to the calculation using the Cramer–Welch criterion, it was established that not only is there an already known statistically significant difference between heat flow in active and passive zones of transform faults, but there is also an asymmetry in heat flow distribution between the western and eastern branches of passive zones of the fault zones. The western zones in all structures studied are characterized by higher average heat flow values. Two models are proposed to explain this phenomenon.