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From: tiberio@seismo.UUCP (Mike Tiberio)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.physics
Subject: geothermal gradient
Message-ID: <805@seismo.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 4-Apr-84 13:50:58 EST
Article-I.D.: seismo.805
Posted: Wed Apr  4 13:50:58 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Apr-84 02:07:59 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Center for Seismic Studies, Arlington, VA
Lines: 13

The temperature gradient near the earths surface is about .03 degrees celsius
per meter. Most values lie in the range 0 to .04, although values much higher
have been observed.*

Besides residual heat from the formation of the planet and radioactive decay,
I believe one other source is responsible for heating the core of the earth.
Since the earth gains many tons in mass per day (the figure escapes me now),
compression of the core takes place. Thermodynamics says when you compress
something, it heats up.

from your happy hacking earth scientist...ty

* taken from Peter J. Smiths "Topics in Geophysics"