Modelling the thermal evolution of extensional basins through lithosphere stretching factors: application to the NW part of the Pannonian Basin
article
The reconstruction of thermal evolution in sedi mentary basins is a key input for constraining geodynamic processes and geo-energy resource potential. We present a methodology to reproduce the most important transient ther mal footprints accompanying basin formation: lithosphere extension and sedimentation. The forward model solving the transient heat equation is extended with an inversion work flow to constrain models with temperature measurement, providing estimates on model parameters, most importantly the amount of lithosphere stretching. We apply the method ology to the NW part of Hungary. We test the effect of varia tions in model input parameters on the resulting temperature estimates and discuss the uncertainties and limitations of the modelling technique. Realistic past and present-day temper ature predictions for the entire lithosphere are achieved for a carefully assessed set of input parameters, suggesting the strong attenuation of the mantle lithosphere through exten sion and relatively small variations in the present-day ther mal lithosphere thickness. The new temperature model can be used to constrain geodynamic processes and lithosphere structure and rheology, and it can serve as a first-order bound ary condition for geothermal exploration.
Topics
TNO Identifier
1011947
Source
Solid Earth, 16(1), pp. 45-61.
Pages
45-61