Heat flow during the carboniferous and mesozoic of the Northwest German Basin

The temperature history of the Northwest German Basin has been reconstructed using a one-dimensional computer model that accounts for compaction-related changes of physical rock properties, depth, temperature and maturity of organic matter. Maturity has been modelled by empirically relating vitrinite reflectance to time-temperature history. Heat flow values for the Mesozoic and Carboniferous have been obtained by matching measured and computed vitrinite reflectance. For Mesozoic samples agreement between measured and computed maturity can be achieved with a heat flow between 37 and 50 mW/m2 (0.9 and 1.2 hfu). There is no systematic areal variation. Carboniferous samples are matched best at heat flows between 70 and 96 mW/m2 (1.7 and 2.3 hfu), corresponding to geothermal gradients between 50 and 80 °C/km depending on lithology and compaction. Areal variation follows patterns subparallel to the structural grain of the Variscan orogeny. Mesozoic heat flow is compatible with heat flow in stable platform areas. Carboniferous heat flow and its geotectonic setting are best in agreement with present-day back-arc areas underlain by continental crust.