If that rate of temperature change were constant, temperatures deep in the Earth would soon reach the point where all known rocks would eventually melt. We know, however, that the Earth's mantle is solid because of the transmission of S-waves. The temperature gradient dramatically decreases with depth for two reasons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
A temperature gradient is just the change in temperature over a specified distance between two locations. The difference in temperature causes differences in air pressure between the two spots. This air pressure differential leads to the formation of winds as the atmosphere tries to equalize the air pressure. Generally, the larger the temperature difference, the stronger the resulting winds will be.
https://climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.tempgradient
gradient. The rate of inclination to horizontal expressed as a ratio, such as 1:25, indicating a one unit rise to 25 units of horizontal distance.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gradient
• TEMPERATURE GRADIENT (noun). The noun TEMPERATURE GRADIENT has 1 sense: 1. change in temperature as a function of distance (especially altitude). Familiarity information: TEMPERATURE GRADIENT used as a noun is very rare.
http://www.audioenglish.org/dictionary/temperature_gradient.htm
gradient-the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; a five-degree gradient. slope. grade-the gradient of a slope or road or other surface; the road had a steep grade.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gradient
The geothermal gradient varies with location and is typically measured by determining the bottom open-hole temperature after borehole drilling. To achieve accuracy the drilling fluid needs time to reach the ambient temperature. This is not always achievable for practical reasons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
1. The degree to which something inclines; a slope. A mountain road with a gradient of ten percent rises one foot for every ten feet of horizontal length. 2. The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure changes over a distance.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gradient
concentration gradient-a gradient in concentration of a solute as a function of distance through a solution; the movement of a solute down its concentration gradient is called diffusion.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gradient
Geothermal gradient is the rate of increasing temperature with respect to increasing depth in the Earth 's interior. Away from tectonic plate boundaries, it is about 25 °C per km of depth (1 °F per 70 feet of depth) in most of the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
Heat production was twice that of present-day at approximately 3 billion years ago, resulting in larger temperature gradients within the Earth, larger rates of mantle convection and plate tectonics, allowing the production of igneous rocks such as komatiites that are not formed anymore today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
temperature gradient definition
The temperature gradient is the change in temperature over a specified distance between two locations. A temperature gradient is defined as the change in temperature over a specified distance between two locations.