Fluctuations in near-surface ground temperature, Taupo, New Zealand

Abstract

Near-surface ground temperatures have been observed to fluctuate rapidly, over 15°c in one day, at a site in Taupo Borough where heat transfer is by convection from the underlying hydrothermal system. There is a good inverse correlation between near-surface ground temperature and atmospheric pressure, suggesting that a decrease in atmospheric pressure promotes vapour emission at the hot ground-water surface, and increases the rate of convective heat transfer, and thus the near-surface ground temperature. Conversely an increase in atmospheric pressure inhibits vapour emission and results in a lowering of near-surface ground temperature.