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Temporal Evolution of Faults in the Southern German Molasse Basin: A Case Study of Wolfratshausen, Germany
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019, Jun 2019, Volume 2019, p.1 - 5
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in foreland basins to host geothermal resources because of the existence of deep aquifers. Understanding of tectonic evolution and fault kinematics is crucial to evaluate potential geothermal reservoirs, which at great depth are controlled by fault density. In our work, we focused on an in-depth analysis of faults within the geothermal prospect of Wolfratshausen in the southern German Molasse Basin. Based on a 3D seismic survey, acquired 30 km south of Munich, we analysed fault patterns within the Upper Jurassic carbonate reservoir and its Molasse overburden. To determine the temporal activity of the interpreted faults, we built a 3D geological model, from which we derived juxtaposition diagrams of the faulted strata and thickness maps of seismic horizons. The results show that the various strata at Wolfratshausen have undergone different deformation phases; extension in the pre- and early-orogenic stages of basin formation and contraction in the Miocene times. Furthermore, the deformation style at this part of the basin is characterised by decoupled faulting. The identified structures, their temporal activity, and deformation style indicate active stress regime and thus provide insight into the hydraulic transmissivity of the fault zones.