Thus, understanding the uncertainties associated with heat flow instruments is essential to the interpretation of acquired data. Seafloor heat flow data provides valuable insight into seafloor and subseafloor fluid and geological processes.

At the deformation front, the incoming oceanic sediment/crust interface temperatures vary between 164☌ to 179☌, indicating the up-dip limit of the Cascadia seismogenic zone. Localized differences between BSR heat flow and numerical models reflect an estimated regional mean upward fluid flow of 0.53 cm yr-1 for the survey area, with localized fluid flow approaching a maximum of 3.8 cm yr-1. From these MCS profiles, we generated a 3-D view of the Cascadia margin thermal structure by interpreting 40,232 individual BSR data points in terms of temperature and heat flow. Eleven recently collected multi-channel seismic (MCS) profiles from the 2012 Cascadia Open-Access Seismic Transect (COAST) experiment offshore Washington State were used to characterize the distribution of bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) from seaward of the deformation front onto the continental shelf of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The overarching goal of this thesis is to map the thermal and fluid environment within the Cascadia Subduction zone offshore Southern Washington State. By exploring the intertwined nature of both the thermal and fluid environment, a more complete picture of the governing processes can be established. Mapping the thermal and fluid circulation of an active subduction zone can advance our understanding of subduction zone dynamics and fluid budgets, important in understanding global chemical fluxes and the carbon cycle. Subduction zones are areas of tectonic plate collision that produce associated earthquakes and destructive tsunamis and, in addition, provide a link between the atmosphere and ocean.

Cascadea subduction