The use of satellite thermal infrared information is being developed as a method of exploring current tectonic activity. To realize real world application, an objective, stable and testable thermal physical index that is simultaneously related with tectonic activity must be established. From the viewpoint of the energy balance, the land surface is a boundary where energy is exchanged between outer space and the solid Earth. Regardless of how complex the influencing factors are, the land surface is mainly affected by the Sun, atmosphere and underground heat. In this paper, first, the relationships among land surface temperature, solar radiation, atmospheric temperature and thermal information from underground are obtained employing a mathematic physical method based on the equation of heat conduction and energy balance at the land surface. Second, a thermal physical index called the geothermal flux index (GFI), which can provide the activity state of underground heat, is constructed. Third, the theoretical basis of the thermal physical index is verified using stable annual variations in land surface temperature and solar radiation. Finally, combined with known crustal deformations derived using a global positioning system, the effectiveness of the GFI in extracting field tectonic motion is tested. The results indicate that the GFI is effective in providing information on current tectonic activity.
