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1.
The thermal and burial history of the Herzkamp syncline, located in the transition zone between the Variscan Rhenish Massif and the Ruhr foreland basin (western Germany), was reconstructed using PDI/PC-1D-basin modelling software (IES). The models were calibrated with new vitrinite reflectance data measured on Palaeozoic outcrop samples. High sample density and quality of the calibration data allowed a 3D reconstruction of the heat flow as well as of burial and erosion history. Vitrinite reflectance values range from 0.8 to 4.9%Rr and generally increase with increasing stratigraphic age. The coalification pattern confirms pre-tectonic maturation, especially in the western part of the study area. A "low-coalification zone" showing stagnating/decreasing coalification with increasing stratigraphic age exists, however, northeast of the Ennepe thrust, indicating synorogenic coalification. This anomaly is explained by early thrusting in the northern Rhenish Massif resulting in restricted burial/early uplift and thus lower thermal maturity. One result of numerical modelling is that palaeo-heat flows during maximum burial (Westphalian or post-Westphalian) decreased southwards from approximately 65 to less than 50 mW/m2. Maximum burial depths for the base and top of the Namurian also decrease southwards from 7000 to 3600 m and 4600 to 1800 m, respectively, resulting in southwards-decreasing coalification of the respective stratigraphic horizon. Eroded overburden increases southwards (3100-5700 m), with the exception of the low-coalification zone, which is characterised by lower amounts of eroded overburden (1300-2900 m) and an earlier onset of erosion, i.e. in the Westphalian B rather than Westphalian D or post-Westphalian. 相似文献
2.
Van Keer I. Ondrak R. Muchez Ph. Bayer U. Dusar M. Viaene W. 《Geologie en Mijnbouw》1997,76(4):301-311
A 1D-modelling program has been applied to reconstruct the burial and thermal histories of two exploration boreholes, KB172 and KB174, located in the Campine Basin. The results show differences in geological histories. The coalification of the Westphalian A and B strata in KB174 (0.66–0.98% Ro) was pre-Permian. Calculated maximum temperatures, based on borehole data and vitrinite reflectance, regional thicknesses and a heat flow of 84 mW/m2 during the Late Westphalian, range from 110 °C at the top to 175 °C at the bottom of the Westphalian cored in this borehole. The high coalification (0.85–1.30% Ro) of the Westphalian C and D strata in KB172 could be the result of the deposition of 2500 m of Upper Permian to Middle Jurassic sediments in combination with elevated heat flows (71–80 mW/m2). Two coalification periods, i.e. Late Westphalian and Middle Jurassic, are suggested for this borehole. The simulated maximum temperatures range from 130 °C at the top to 175 °C at the bottom of the investigated Westphalian C and D. The differences in the burial and thermal histories of both boreholes can be related to the activity of the transversal Donderslag Fault, a major structural element in the Campine coalfield, and the Roer Valley Graben. 相似文献
3.
4.
Vitrinite reflectance was measured in Late Carboniferous to Triassic shales, siltstones and marls of the Karawanken Range. Thermal models of the central South-Karawanken Range were calibrated on the basis of these data. They suggest an eroded overburden of more than 3,200 m of Jurassic to Cretaceous sediments and a heat flow in the range of 42 to 60 mW m?2 during the time of maximum subsidence. Because the reconstructed thermal history of the South-Karawanken Range is very similar to the thermal history of the Generoso basin (western Southern Alps), these data provide strong evidence for a deep basinal position of the Southern Karawanken Range during Jurassic to Cretaceous times. A vitrinite reflectance anomaly at the northern margin of the South-Karawanken Range is explained by advective heat transport during the Oligocene. The heat source for the anomalies at the western margin of the Seeberg Rise and in the area between the Periadriatic Lineament and the Donat Fault Zone is unknown. Vitrinite reflectance in Late Triassic sediments indicates the South-Karawanken Range and the South-Zala Unit of the Pannonian basement as exotic blocks in the Sava Composite Unit. This is explained by Miocene displacement of structural units, which were derived from different paleogeographical segments of the Permo-Mesozoic western Tethyan margin. 相似文献
5.
The Stephanian Ciñera-Matallana Basin of NW Spain comprises 1,500 m of alluvial to lacustrine coal-bearing sediments, which were deposited in a late Variscan transtensional/transpressional pull-apart setting. The relationship between coalification pattern and rock deformation was evaluated by measurements of the anisotropy of vitrinite reflectance (AVR). The AVR ellipsoids reveal both pre-tectonic elements related to the bedding fabric and syn-tectonic elements related to folding, producing biaxial ellipsoid shapes with the maximum reflectance parallel to fold axes. The mean coalification gradient for the Stephanian succession is about 0.62 %Rr/km. Calculations of the mean palaeo-geothermal gradient are presented on the basis of three different empirical equations. A palaeo-geothermal gradient of 85 °C/km is considered the most realistic, with an overburden of about 1,000 m. 1-D numerical modelling of the burial history results in two possible scenarios, the most preferable involving a palaeo-heat flow of 150 mW/m2 and an overburden of ca. 1,050 m. These results indicate that maximum coalification was related to a localised but high palaeo-heat flow/-geothermal gradient. The anisotropy of vitrinite reflectance highlights the interactive and transitional nature of sedimentary compaction and rock deformation on the maturation of organic material within strike-slip fault zones. 相似文献
6.
Analysis of a 1.15 km deep apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology profile at the Underground Research Laboratory (URL), in the southwestern Canadian Shield suggests two Phanerozoic heating and cooling episodes indicating significant, previously unsuspected, Phanerozoic heat flow variations. Phanerozoic temperature and heat flow variations are temporally associated with burial and erosion of the Precambrian crystalline shield and its overlying Phanerozoic successions, which are now eroded completely. Maximum Phanerozoic temperatures occurred in the late Paleozoic when the geothermal gradient is estimated to have been ~ 40-50 °C/km (compared to a present day gradient of ~ 14 ± 2 °C/km) and the sedimentary cover was ~ 800-1100 m thick. Our thermal history models, confirm regional stratigraphic relationships that suggest that the Paleozoic succession was completely eroded prior to beginning of Mesozoic sedimentation. A second heating phase occurred during Late Cretaceous-Paleogene burial when the geothermal gradient is estimated to have been ~ 20-25 °C/km and the Mesozoic and Cenozoic succession was ~ 1200 to 1400 m thick. The Phanerozoic thermal history at the URL site shows a pattern similar to that inferred previously for the epicratonic Williston Basin, the centre of which lies several 100 km to the west. This implies a common regional thermal history for cratonic rocks underlying both the basin and the currently exposed shield. It is suggested that the morphotectonic differences between the Williston Basin and the exposed shield at the URL are due to a dissimilar thermomechanical response to a common, but more complicated than previously inferred, Phanerozoic geodynamic history. The two Phanerozoic periods of variations in geothermal gradient (heat flow) were coeval with epeirogenic movements related to the deposition and erosion of sediments. These paleogeodynamic variations are tentatively attributed to far-field effects of orogenic processes occurring at the plate margin (i.e. the Antler and the Cordilleran orogenies) and the associated accumulation of cratonic seaway sedimentary sequences (Kaskaskia and Zuni sequences). 相似文献
7.
《International Journal of Coal Geology》1988,10(1):1-31
The methane, ethane, higher alkanes and nitrogen found in British coal seams are residual products of coalification occasionally complemented by petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. Carbon dioxide, a minor constituent of coal seam gas, may have been introduced during the phase of cleat mineralisation following uplift. Helium and argon are considered to be radiogenic in origin.Variations in seam methane content with depth, geographic location and rank can be interpreted in terms of the coalification and erosion history of a coalfield. However, the limitations inherent in an analysis in which coal rank is represented by a single parameter must be recognised.There are indications that the methane content of a seam is not likely to exceed the methane sorption capacity of the coal determined at a temperature commensurate with that obtaining at the maximum burial depth.Research in the East Midlands coalfield suggests that structurally controlled migration of coalification gas was contemporaneous with folding. During the Permo-Carboniferous erosion period gas was lost from outcropping seams. Subsequently, the bulk permeability of the seams must have been reduced, perhaps as a result of cleat mineralisation, because no re-distribution of methane appears to have occurred in response to later (Tertiary) deformation and gas contents of seams at incrop below the base of the Permo-Triassic have remained zero.Data on the effects of faulting on seam gas contents are few but the expectation is that faults, of appropriate age and orientation, whilst inhibiting in-seam migration may, in some instances have aided cross-measures movement of gas. Elevated seam ethane and propane contents are frequently encountered in seams disturbed by oil-bearing faults. 相似文献
8.
Sedimentary basins in The Netherlands contain significant amounts of hydrocarbon resources, which developed in response to
temperature and pressure history during Mesozoic and Cenozoic times. Quantification and modelling of burial, maturity and
temperature histories are the major goals of this study, allowing for a better understanding of the general geological evolution
of the different basins as well as petroleum generation. All major basins in The Netherlands encountered at least one time
of inversion and therefore moderate to high amounts of erosion. In order to determine the amount of inversion the basins have
experienced, a 1D study was performed on 20 wells within three basins (West Netherlands, Central Netherlands and Lower Saxony
Basins). New vitrinite reflectance values were obtained and existing data re-evaluated to gain a good data base. The burial
histories of six wells, two for each studied basin, are presented here, to demonstrate the differences in basin evolution
that led to their present shape and petroleum potential. The Permo-Triassic subsidence phase can be recognized in all three
basins, but with varying intensity. In the Jurassic, the basins experienced different relative movements that culminated in
the Cretaceous when the influence of the inversion caused erosion of up to 2,500 m. Most wells show deepest burial at present-day,
whereas the timing of maximum temperature differs significantly. 相似文献
9.
根据地层分层数据和古热流分析,对塔里木盆地玉北地区的5口代表性钻井进行了埋藏史、热史的模拟与分析,探讨了研究区烃源岩的热演化成熟过程,初步划分了烃源岩的成熟阶段和生烃期次。研究结果认为：玉北地区寒武系－泥盆系沉积时期,具有多次沉积埋藏和隆升剥蚀的交替;泥盆系沉积之后,石炭－二叠系呈现沉积埋藏的特征;中生代在玉北地区东部少量沉积三叠系,随后被剥蚀,而在中西部发生沉积间断;进入新生代,地层持续沉积,且沉积速率呈现增大趋势。研究区寒武系烃源岩自沉积以来成熟度演化相对连续,奥陶纪时进入生烃门限,成熟时期较早;志留－泥盆纪,受海西早期运动的影响,发生隆升剥蚀作用,烃源岩演化变缓;石炭－二叠纪受控于区域上持续稳定的地层沉积与广泛发育的火山活动,研究区寒武系烃源岩进入中高成熟阶段;由于喜马拉雅造山运动的远程效应,新生代研究区持续沉降,形成巨厚沉积,烃源岩成熟度达到高－过成熟,为天然气生成阶段 相似文献
10.
David J. A. Williams Beda A. Hofmann Ian G. Glasspool 《Swiss Journal of Geoscience》2008,101(3):651-658
Vitrinite reflectance (Rr), proximate analysis and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) have been used to characterise coal samples from two zones of Late Carboniferous sediments (Gastern and Ferden) in the Aar massif where they are penetrated by the Lötschberg base tunnel (constructed between 1999 and 2005). Samples are characterised by variable ash yields (21.7–93.9%; dry basis); those with ash yields of less than ~50% and with volatile matter content (V;dry ash-free basis) within the limits 2 < V% ≤ 8 are anthracite. Values of Rr range from 3.89% to 5.17% and indicate coalification to the rank of anthracite and meta-anthracite in both Gastern and Ferden Carboniferous zones. Samples of anthracite and shale from the Gastern Carboniferous exhibit a relatively small range in δ13C values (–24.52‰ to –23.38‰; mean: –23.86‰) and are lighter than anthracite samples from the Ferden Carboniferous (mean: –22.20‰). The degree of coalification in the Gastern and Ferden Carboniferous zones primarily depends on the maximum rock temperature (T) attained as a result of burial heating. Vitrinite reflectance based estimates of T range from ~290° –360 °C. For a proposed palaeogeothemal gradient of 25 ° C/km at the time of maximum coalification the required overburden is attributable to relatively thin autochtonous Mesozoic/Cenozoic sedimentary cover of the Aar massif and Gastern granite and deep tectonic burial beneath advancing Helvetic, Ultrahelvetic and Prealpine (Penninic) nappes in Early Oligocene to Miocene. 相似文献
11.
《International Journal of Coal Geology》1988,10(1):79-97
The Upper Carboniferous, coal-bearing sequence of the Intrasudetic Basin (SW Poland) includes coals ranging from high-volatile bituminous to anthracitic rank. The lowest values of reflectance are recorded around the basin margins (0.6% R0 max), the highest ones appear in the center of the basin (exceeding 4% R0 max). Reflectance gradients are very high, reaching 0.6%/100 m in the centre of the basin.A comparison of the isoreflectance maps for three lithostratigraphical units—the Walbrzych, Bialy Kamien and Zacler Formations, with the present-day burial depth and the depth of burial during the Westphalian B/C—indicates that there is a strong relationship between reflectance and the sediment cover during the Westphalian B/C, particularly in the vicinity of Walbrzych and Lubawka. This suggests that the increase in coal rank is related to the increase in cover which permitted the temperature to build-up to high values.In the eastern and central parts of the basin and the Nowa Ruda area, higher reflectance than that derived from burial depth is observed which is believed to result from higher heat flow from the basement. The volcanic rocks of the Intrasudetic Basin appear to have little effect on coal rank and are not considered to be a significant contributor to the heat flow of the region.During coalification, the oldest Westphalian coal seams were buried to about 700 m and the youngest seams of the Walbrzych Formation to 900 m. Around the basin margins the coals had reached their present-day rank by the Westphalian B/C and in the central part probably by the end of the Stephanian. Most effective coalification took place during the Westphalian A,B occupying a period of less than 20 million years. The coalification temperature is calculated to be 160–170°C with a geothermal gradient of 8–10°C/100 m. These geothermal conditions support the suggestion of a volcanic origin for the Intrasudetic Basin. 相似文献
12.
Onno Oncken Dipl.-Geol. 《International Journal of Earth Sciences》1982,71(2):579-601
It is proposed to determine certain aspects in the development of a geosyncline by constructing the gradient of coalification. The analysis provides important hints as to the degree of erosion (≈ postorogenic uplift — heigh above sea level), the total thickness of the geosynclinal sediments and the geosynclinal heat flow, which can all be partly evaluated. The application of the proposed method to the Ebbe anticline (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) produces some interesting results; close relations are recognised between the geosynclinal development and the tectonic structure of the anticline and the surrounding synclines. The Ebbe anticline, former zone of relatively lesser subsidence with elevated heat flow and largest uplift is regarded as a model case for the northeastern Schiefergebirge (and other, similarly built mountains?). 相似文献
13.
A three-dimensional, intratidal sediment transport model is developed for the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) in the upper
Chesapeake Bay. The model considers three particle size classes, including the fine class mostly in suspension in the water
column, the medium class alternately suspended and deposited by tidal currents, and the coarse size suspended only during
the times of relatively high energy events. Based on the results of a box model, depth-limited erosion with continuous deposition
is employed for the medium and coarse classes by varying the critical shear stress for erosion as a function of eroded mass.
For the fine class, mutually exclusive erosion and deposition is employed with a small constant value for the critical shear
stresses for erosion and deposition to assure quick erosion of recently deposited fine particles but without allowing further
erosion of consolidated bed sediments. The model is run to simulate the annual condition in 1996, and the model generally
gives a reasonable reproduction of the observed characteristics of the ETM relative to the salt limit and tidal phase. The
model results for 1996 are analyzed to study the characteristics of the ETM along the main channel of the upper bay in intertidal
and intratidal time scales. Under a low flow condition, local erosion/deposition and bottom horizontal flux convergence are
the main processes responsible for the formation of the ETM, with the settling flux confining the ETM to the bottom water.
Under a high flow condition, a distinctive ETM is formed by strong convergence of the downstream flux of sediments eroded
from the upstream of the null zone and the upstream flux of sediments settled at the downstream of the null zone. Intratidal
variation of the ETM is mainly controlled by erosion and the tidal transport of eroded sediments for a low flow condition.
Under the direct influence of a high flow event, the ETM is mainly formed by erosion during ebbing tidal current strengthened
by large freshwater discharge and by convergence of ebbing freshwater discharge and flooding tidal current. During the rebounding
stage of a high flow event, intratidal variations are mainly controlled by tidal asymmetry caused by the interaction between
tidal currents, gravitational circulation, and stratification. 相似文献
14.
R.M. Bustin 《International Journal of Coal Geology》1984,4(1):21-44
The only significant deposits of anthracite and meta-anthracite in Canada occur in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous strata of the Groundhog coalfield in northcentral British Columbia. The coal rank in the coalfield varies from low volatile bituminous (1.70% R0 max) to meta-anthracite (5.8% R0 max). The main coal bearing unit, the Currier, includes up to 17 seams of anthracite and meta-anthracite most of which are less than 1 m thick. In the McEvoy unit, which overlies the Currier, up to 9 coal seams, mainly of semi-anthracite, occur that are up to 0.8 m thick. The coals are variably argillaceous, locally sheared and cut by quartz and less commonly, by carbonate veins. Coalification gradients in the coalfield vary from 0.8% to 3.0% R0 max km?1. The rank of coal within both the McEvoy and Currier units appears to increase towards the eastern edge of the coalfield.The level of coalification and the coalification gradients in the coalfield are anomalously high considering an indicated maximum depth of burial of 3500 m. From comparison with coalification models it appears that geothermal gradients in the order of 50° to 70°C/km must have existed for a period of time measured in millions of years. Studies to date suggest the coalification is pre-tectonic and thus pre-Late Cretaceous although there is some evidence for high heat flow in the Tertiary. The origin of the high heat flow may be related to intrusion accompanying collision of the Stikine terrain with the early Mesozoic margin of North America and/or high heat flux over an easterly dipping subduction zone below the Coastal volcanic-plutonic arc to the west. 相似文献
15.
针对中深部（1 500~4 000 m）地热资源深井同轴“保水取热”科学评价问题,以COMSOL Multiphysics多物理场耦合数值计算软件为模拟平台,构建垂直单井岩-水耦合传热模型,以西安地区地层与地温特征为模拟背景,计算分析2种地温梯度（0.027、0.030℃/m）与4种注水口流速（0.25、0.50、0.75、1.00 m/s）工况下深层（3 500 m）地热单井套管换热能力。同时,建立5种井间距下的群井数值模型,分析不同井间距下群井中心井的出口温度变化规律。模拟结果显示:地温梯度越大,进出口温差越大,单位时间换热量与单位延米换热量越大;入口注水流速越大,进出口温差越小,但单位时间换热量与单位延米换热量越大,即地温梯度、流速越大,深层垂直钻孔套管换热的效率越高;西安地区3 500 m井深工况下,相邻地热井的间距为30 m时能够保证其地层温度不会相互干扰。研究结论可为深层地热开发利用提供科学参考。移动阅读 相似文献
16.
Apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology has been applied to a composite depth profile of Precambrian basement rocks underlying the Phanerozoic Canadian Williston Basin. Thermal histories derived from the AFT data record cycles of heating and cooling which follow the pattern of regional burial history, but which also indicate major temporal and geographic variations in the timing and degree of maximum Phanerozoic temperatures. These variations in the thermal history were not previously recognised from organic maturity indicators and subsidence models. Specifically, our study suggests a late Paleozoic heat flow anomaly with a geographic extent closer to that of Middle Devonian–Carboniferous Kaskaskia subsidence patterns than to that of the Williston Basin proper. This thermal anomaly has both economic and geodynamic significance. The recognition that potential Upper Cambrian–Lower Ordovician petroleum source rocks became fully mature during the late Paleozoic distinguishes that petroleum system from others that entered the main hydrocarbon generation stage in latest Cretaceous and Paleogene time. The late Paleozoic heat flow anomaly suggested from the AFT data implies a geodynamic coupling between inelastic Kaskaskia subsidence and previously inferred late Paleozoic lithospheric weakening. While the temporally varying heat flow model is preferred, the lack of independent constraints on the maximum thickness of upper Paleozoic strata precludes the outright rejection of the previous constant heat flow model. The AFT data provide important new constraints on the evolution of the epicratonic Williston Basin and its geodynamic models. 相似文献
17.
The coastal zone of the Sagar island has been studied. The island has been subjected to erosion by natural processes and to
a little extent by anthropogenic activities over a long period. Major landforms identified in the coastal area of the Sagar
island are the mud flats/salt marshes, sandy beaches/dunes and mangroves. The foreshore sediments are characterized by silty,
slightly sandy mud, slightly silty sand and silty sand. Samples 500 m inland from high waterline are silty slightly sandy
mud, and by clayey slightly sandy mud. The extent of coastline changes are made by comparing the topographic maps of 1967
and satellite imageries of 1996, 1998 and 1999. Between 1967 and 1999 about 29.8 km2 of the island has been eroded and the accreted area is only 6.03 km2. Between 1996 and 1998 the area underwent erosion of 13.64 km2 while accretion was 0.48 km2. From 1998 to 1999, 3.26 km2 additional area was eroded with meager accretion. Erosion from 1997 to 1999 was estimated at 0.74 km2 /year; however, from 1996 to 1999, the erosion rate was calculated as 5.47 km2/year. The areas severely affected by erosion are the northeastern, southwestern and southeastern faces of the island. As
a consequence of coastal erosion, the mud flats/salt marshes, sandy beaches/dunes and mangroves have been eroded considerably.
Deposition is experienced mainly on the western and southern part of the island. The island is built primarily by silt and
clay, which can more easily be eroded by the waves, tides and cyclonic activities than a sandy coast. Historic sea level rises
accompanied by land subsidence lead to differing rates of erosion at several pockets, thus periodically establishing new erosion
planes. 相似文献
18.
Casey Saenger Thomas M. Cronin Debra Willard Jeffrey Halka Randy Kerhin 《Estuaries and Coasts》2008,31(3):492-500
We calculated Chesapeake Bay (CB) sediment and carbon fluxes before and after major anthropogenic land clearance using robust monitoring, modeling and sedimentary data. Four distinct fluxes in the estuarine system were considered including (1) the flux of eroded material from the watershed to streams, (2) the flux of suspended sediment at river fall lines, (3) the burial flux in tributary sediments, and (4) the burial flux in main CB sediments. The sedimentary maximum in Ambrosia (ragweed) pollen marked peak land clearance (~1900 a.d.). Rivers feeding CB had a total organic carbon (TOC)/total suspended solids of 0.24?±?0.12, and we used this observation to calculate TOC fluxes from sediment fluxes. Sediment and carbon fluxes increased by 138–269% across all four regions after land clearance. Our results demonstrate that sediment delivery to CB is subject to significant lags and that excess post-land clearance sediment loads have not reached the ocean. Post-land clearance increases in erosional flux from watersheds, and burial in estuaries are important processes that must be considered to calculate accurate global sediment and carbon budgets. 相似文献
19.
Luigia Di Nicola Stefan Strasky Maria Cristina Salvatore Peter W. Kubik Haino Uwe Kasper Carlo Baroni 《Quaternary Research》2009,71(1):83-149
Geomorphological and glacial geological surveys and multiple cosmogenic nuclide analyses (10Be, 26Al, and 21Ne) allowed us to reconstruct the chronology of variations prior to the last glacial maximum of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) and valley glaciers in the Terra Nova Bay region. Glacially scoured coastal piedmonts with round-topped mountains occur below the highest local erosional trimline. They represent relict landscape features eroded by extensive ice overriding the whole coastal area before at least 6 Ma (pre-dating the build-up of the Mt. Melbourne volcanic field). Since then, summit surfaces were continuously exposed and well preserved under polar condition with negligible erosion rates on the order of 17 cm/Ma. Complex older drifts rest on deglaciated areas above the younger late-Pleistocene glacial drift and below the previously overridden summits. The combination of stable and radionuclide isotopes documents complex exposure histories with substantial periods of burial combined with minimal erosion. The areas below rounded summits were repeatedly exposed and buried by ice from local and outlet glaciers. The exposure ages of the older drift(s) indicate multiple Pleistocene glacial cycles, which did not significantly modify the pre-existing landscape. 相似文献
20.
《Journal of African Earth Sciences》1999,28(3):641-652
Data from sixteen deep walls drilled for oil exploration purposes in the Anambra Basin of southeastern Nigeria indicate large variations in temperature gradients and heat flow within the basin. Geothermal gradients vary between 25 and 49 ± 1°C km−1, while heat flow estimates are in the range 48 to 76 ± 3 mW m−2. The highest geothermal gradients and heat flow values were computed for the wells located in the southwestern part of the basin north of Onitsha and Asaba. This part of the basin coincides with zones of thick, low conductivity sediments, low ground surface elevation, and hydraulic discharge zones. The general direction of increase in geothermal gradient, originally projected as south to north by earlier workers dealing with the Niger Delta data and the very limited well data from the Anambra Basin, is inconsistent with the results of the present study.The distribution of subsurface temperatures, geothermal gradients and heat flow is found to be directly related to the basin hydrodynamics - higher geothermal gradients and heat flow in areas of low hydraulic head distribution. Hydrocarbon metamorphism and migration appear to have been greatly influenced by the movements of circulating meteoric waters. A higher level of organic maturity of sediments should be expected in the southwestern zone, where the thermal anomaly exists. However, owing to hydrodynamic activities, tertiary migration would have taken place leaving many traces of residual hydrocarbons. The several cases of fluorescence noticed in wells in the southwestern zone of the Anambra Basin are taken as evidence that this process may indeed have taken place in the geological past of the basin. 相似文献