Simulation of geologic, hydrodynamic and thermodynamic development of a sedimentary basin - a quantitative approach.

Abstract

This study determines the 'quantitative' mass and energy transport in the sedimentary sequences of a basin. This is achieved by a one-dimensional deterministic model that accounts for the major mechanisms operating during sedimentation and compaction in the basin. Initial data consist of heat flux, initial physical and thermodynamic properties of sediments, paleobathymetric estimations, and sedimentation rate curve. The model then computes the two unknowns, hydraulic head (or pore pressure) and temperature, as a function of time and vertical distance. The physical and thermodynamic parameters are evaluated from the pressure and temperature calculations. These values are then put into the fluid and heat flow equations. -from Authors