RADIOGENIC HEAT PRODUCTION IN THE EARTH’S CRUST OF BULGARIA: THE DOMINANT ROLE OF THE RHODOPE MASSIF
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol1.144Keywords:
Radiogenic heat production, Rhodope Massif, geothermal energy, radioactive decay, continental crust, energy independenceAbstract
This report evaluates the radiogenic heat production (A) within the continental crust of Bulgaria, emphasizing the dominant role of the Rhodope Massif. The generation of thermal energy through the radioactive decay of uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K) is a primary component of the Earth's heat flow.
The analysis first establishes a baseline for Bulgaria by assessing the average heat production levels across the main lithological units, utilizing previously published data on their radioactive element content. Subsequently, the study focuses on the Rhodope Massif, identified as the country's most significant heat-generating region due to radiogenic values that substantially exceed the national average.
Comparative results indicate that this elevated radiogenic heat is a major driver of regional geothermal activity and the high density of thermal springs. These findings provide essential data for crustal thermal modeling and the assessment of deep geothermal energy potential in Southern Bulgaria.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Yanitsa Boyanova
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