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Geophysical modelling of the thermal history of foreland basins

Nature volume 320, pages 252–256 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Rapid subsidence and sedimentation in active foreland basins produces negative thermal anomalies within the sediments and the lithosphere. We have developed a one-dimensional conductive heating model to simulate the thermal effects of subsidence in foreland basins. Application of the model to data from a well in the Alberta Basin suggests that negative thermal anomalies can delay hydrocarbon maturation by a few million years. The thermal anomaly is larger within the lithosphere than in the sediments. As the anomaly is removed by conductive heating the rheological properties of the lithosphere are modified, causing an apparent reduction of plate rigidity. The thermal anomaly in the lithosphere also results in a positive buoyancy force which acts against the mechanical loading of the plate and produces thermally driven uplift when active loading ceases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lamont–Doherty Geological Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, 10964, USA

    M. A. Kominz & G. C. Bond

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  1. M. A. Kominz
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  2. G. C. Bond
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Kominz, M., Bond, G. Geophysical modelling of the thermal history of foreland basins. Nature 320, 252–256 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/320252a0

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