New coalification profiles in the Molasse Basin of Western Switzerland: Implications for the thermal and geodynamic evolution of the Alpine Foreland

Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae

Volumn 90, Issue 1, 1997, Pages 79-96

  Schegg, Roland ^a,b   Leu, Werner ^a   Cornford, Chris ^c   Allen, Philip A ^d  

^a Geoform Ltd   (Switzerland)

^b UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA   (Switzerland)

^c IGI Ltd   (United Kingdom)

^d UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Erosion; Geothermal gradient; Heat flow; Lithospheric flexure; North Alpine Foreland Basin; Thermal modelling; Vitrinite reflectance profile; Western Switzerland

Indexed keywords

COALIFICATION; HEAT FLOW; MOLASSE; THERMAL EVOLUTION; VITRINITE REFLECTANCE;

SWITZERLAND, WESTERN SWISS MOLASSE BASIN;

EID: 0030767119     PISSN: 00129402     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (100)

1. ALLEN, P.A. & ALLEN, J.R. 1990: Basin analysis: principles and applications. Blackwell Scientific Publication, London.
2. ALLEN, P.A., CRAMPTON, S.L. & SINCLAIR, H.D. 1991: The inception and early evolution of the North Alpine Foreland Basin, Switzerland. Basin Research 3.143-163.
3. ALTHAUS, H.E. 1947: Erdölgeologische Untersuchungen in der Schweiz. - 1. Die ölführende Molasse zwischen Genfer und Neuenburger See. - 2. Über geologische Untersuchungen im Gebiet der ölführenden Molasse im Kanton Genf. Beitr. Geol. Schweiz, geotech. Ser. 26/1, 1-43.
4. BACHMANN, G.H. & MÜLLER, M. 1991: The Molasse basin, Germany: evolution of a classic petroliferous foreland basin. In: Generation, Accumulation and Production of Europe's Hydrocarbons (Ed. by SPENCER, A.M.). Spec. Publ. European Assoc. Petroleum Geoscientists 1, 263-276.
5. - & - 1992: Sedimentary and structural evolution of the German Molasse Basin. Eclogae geol. Helv. 85, 519-530.
6. BACHMANN, G.H., MÜLLER, M. & WEGGEN, K. 1987: Evolution of the Molasse Basin (Germany, Switzerland). Tectonophysics 137, 77-92.
7. BACHMANN, G.H., DOHR, G. & MÜLLER, M. 1982: Exploration in a classic thrust belt and its foreland: Bavarian Alps, Germany. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 66, 2529-2542.
8. BARKER, C.E. & PAWLEWICZ, M.J. 1992: An estimate of the minimum number of measurements needed to constrain the mean random vitrinite reflectance of disseminated organic matter. Abstr. Ninth Annu. Meeting Soc. Org. Petrol., University Park, Pennsylvania, 10-11.
9. BEAUMONT, C., BOUTILIER, R., MACKENZIE, A.S. & RULLKÖTTER, J. 1985: Isomerization and aromatization of hydrocarbons and the paleothermometry and burial history of Alberta foreland basin. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 69, 546-566.
10. BERGER, J.-P. 1985: La transgression de la Molasse marine supérieure (OMM) en Suisse occidentale. Münchn. Geowiss. Abh., Reihe A, Geol. Pläont. 5.
11. 1992: Correlative chart of the European Oligocene and Miocene: Application to the Swiss Molasse basin. Eclogae geol. Helv. 85, 573-609.
12. BOOMER, P. & RYBACH, L. 1984: Geothermal map of Switzerland (Heat flow density). Beitr. Geol. Schweiz, geophys. Ser. 22.
13. BRADLEY, D.C. & KIDD, W.S.F. 1991: Flexural extension of the upper continental crust in collisional foredeeps. Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. 103, 1416-1438.
14. BRINK, H.-J., BURRI, P., LUNDE, A. & WINHARD, H. 1992: Hydrocarbon habitat and potential of Swiss and German Molasse Basin: A comparison. Eclogae geol. Helv. 85, 715-732.
15. BÜCHI, U.P., LEMCKE, K., WIENER, G. & ZIMDARS, J. 1965: Geologische Ergebnisse der Erdölexploration auf das Mesozoikum im Untergrund des schweizerischen Molassebeckens. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 32/82, 7-38.
16. BUISKOOL TOXOPEUS, J.M.A. 1983: Selection Criteria for the Use of Vitrinite Reflectance as a Maturity Tool. In: Petroleum Geochemistry and Exploration of Europe (Ed. by BROOKS, J.). Spec. Publ. geol. Soc. London 12, 295-307.
17. BURKHARD, M. 1990: Aspects of the large-scale Miocene deformation in the most external part of the Swiss Alps (Subalpine Molasse to Jura fold belt). Eclogae goel. Helv. 83, 559-583.
18. BUROV, E.B. & DIAMENT, M. 1995: The effective elastic thickness (Te) of continental lithosphere: What does it really mean? J. geophys. Res. 100, 3905-3927.
19. BUSTIN, R.M., BARNES, M.A; & BARNES, W.C. 1985: Diagenesis 10. Quantification and modelling of organic diagenesis. Geosci. Canada 12, 4-21.
20. CERMÀK, V. & HURTIG, E. 1979: Heat flow map of Europe. In: Terrestrial heat flow in Europe (Ed. by CERMÀK, V. & RYBACH, L.). Springer Verlag, Heidelberg-Berlin-New York.
21. CRAMPTON, S.L. & ALLEN, P.A. 1995: Recognition of forebulge unconformities associated with early stage foreland basin development: example from the North Alpine Foreland Basin. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 79, 1495-1514.
22. DEMING, D. & CHAPMAN, D.S. 1989: Thermal histories and hydrocarbon generation: An example from the Utah-Wyoming thrust belt. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 73, 1455-1471.
23. DIEBOLD, P., NAEF, H. & AMMANN, M. 1991: Zur Tektonik der zentralen Nordchweiz. Interpretation aufgrund regionaler Seimik, Oberflächengeologie und Tiefbohrungen. Nagra tech. Ber. 90-04. Wettingen.
24. Dow, W.G. 1977: Application of oil-correlation and source-rock data to exploration in Williston Basin. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 58, 1253-1262.
25. DUDDY, I.R., GREEN, P.F., BRAY, R.J. & HEGARTY, K.A. 1994: Recognition of the thermal effects of fluid flow in sedimentary basins. In: Geofluids: Origin, migration and evolution of fluids in sedimentary basins (Ed. by PARNELL, J.). Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 78, 325-345.
26. DURAND, B., ALPERN, B., POTION, J.L. & PRADIER, B. 1986: Reflectance of vitrinite as a control of thermal history of sediments. In: Thermal Modelling in Sedimentary Basins (Ed. by BURRUS, J.). Ed. Technip, Paris, 441-474.
27. FANG, H. & JIANYU, C. 1992: The cause and mechanism of vitrinite reflectance anomalies. J. Petrol. Geol. 15, 419-434.
28. FASEL, J.-M. 1986: Sédimentologie de la Molasse d'Eau douce Subalpine entre le Léman et la Gruyère. Thèse no. 907, Univ. de Fribourg (Suisse), unpubl.
29. GORIN, G., SIGNER, C. & AMBERGER, G. 1993: Structural configuration of the western Swiss Molasse Basin as defined by reflection seismic data. Eclogae geol. Helv. 86, 693-716.
30. GUTSCHER, M.-A. 1995: Crustal structure and dynamics in the Rhine Graben and the Alpine foreland. Geophys. J. Int. 122, 617-636.
31. HELLINGER, J.H., SCLATER, J.G. 1983: Some comments on two-layer extensional models for the evolution of sedimentary basins. J. geophys. Res. 88, 8251-8269.
32. HERB, R. 1988: Eocaene Paläogeographie and Paläotektonik des Helvetikums. Eclogae geol. Helv. 81, 611-657.
33. HOCHULI, P.A. 1978: Palynologische Untersuchungen im Oligozän und Untermiozän der Zentralen und Westlichen Paratethys. Beitr. Paläont. Österr. 4.1-132.
34. HOMEWOOD, P., ALLEN, P.A. & WILLIAMS, G.D. 1986: Dynamics of the Mo-lasse Basin of western Switzerland. Spec. Publ. int. Ass. Sediment. 8, 199-217.
35. JACOB, H. 1989: Classification, structure, genesis and practical importance of natural solid oil bitumen ("migrabitumen"). Int. J. Coal. Geol. 11, 65-79.
36. JACOB, H. & KUCKELKORN, K. 1977: Das Inkohlungsprofil der Bohrung Miesbach 1 und seine erdölgeologische Interpretation. Erdöl-Erdgas-Z. 93, 115-124.
37. JACOB, H., KUCKELKORN, K. & MÜLLER, M. 1982: Inkohlung und Tektonik im Bereich der gefalteten Molasse. Insbesondere am Beispiel der Bohrung Staffelsee l. Erdöl u. Kohle-Erdgas-Petrochemie vereinigt mit Brennstoffchemie 35, 510-518.
38. JENNY, J., BURRI, J.-P., MURALT, R., PUGIN, A., SCHEGG, R., UNGEMACH, P., VUATAZ, F.-D. & WERNLI, R. 1995: Le forage géothermique de Thônex (Canton de Genève): Aspects stratigraphiques, tectoniques, diagénétiques, géophysiques et hydrogéologiques. Eclogae geol. Helv. 88, 365-396.
39. JIN, J. 1995: Dynamic stratigraphic analysis and modeling in the south-eastern Molasse basin. Tub. geowiss. Arb., Reihe A, 24.
40. JORDI, H.A. 1955: Geologie der Umgebung von Yverdon (Jurafuss und mittelländische Molasse). Beitr. Geol. Schweiz (N.F.) 99.
41. - 1990: Tektonisch-strukturelle Übersicht Westschweizerisches Molassebecken. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 56/130, 1-11.
42. - 1993: Tectonique du bassin molassique et son substratum jurassiquecrétacé dans la région Orbe-Yverdon-Grandson. Bull. Soc. vaud. Sci. nat. 82, 279-299.
43. JOUANNE, F., MÉNARD, G. & DARMENDRAIL, X. 1995: Present-day vertical displacements in the north-western Alps and southern Jura Mountains: Data from leveling comparisons. Tectonics 14, 606-616.
44. KÄLIN, B., RYBACH, L. & KEMPTER, E.H.K. 1992: Rates of Deposition. Uplift and Erosion in the Swiss Molasse Basin, Estimated from Sonic- and Density-Logs. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 58/133, 9-22.
45. KARNER, G.D. & WATTS, A.B. 1983: Gravity anomalies and flexure of the lithosphere at mountain ranges. J. geophys. Res. 88. L0449-10477.
46. KEMPTER, E.H.K. 1987: Fossile Maturität, Paläogradienten und Schichtlücken in der Bohrung Weiach im Lichte von Modellrechnungen der thermischen Maturität. Eclogae geol. Helv. 80, 543-552.
47. KÜBLER, B., PITTION, J.-L., HÉROUX, Y., CHAROLLAIS, J. & WEIDMANN, M. 1979: Sur le pouvoir réflecteur de la vitrinite dans quelques roches du Jura, de la Molasse et des Nappes préalpines, helvétiques et penniques (Suisse occidentale et Haute-Savoie). Eclogae geol. Helv. 72, 347-373.
48. KUCKELKORN, K. & JACOB, H. 1977: Inkohlungsgradienten im Alpenvorland. Erdöl und Kohle. Erdgas, Petrochemie Compendium 77/78, 331-338.
49. KUSZNIR, N. & KARNER, G. 1985: Dependence of the flexural rigidity of the continental lithosphere on rheology and temperature. Nature 316, 138-142.
50. LAUBSCHER, H.P. 1974: Basement uplift and decollement in the Molasse Basin. Eclogae geol. Helv. 67, 531-537.
51. 1987: Die tektonische Entwicklung der Nordschweiz. Eclogae geol Helv. 80, 287-303.
52. LEMCKE, K. 1959: Das Profil der Bohrung Chapelle 1. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 26/70, 25-29.
53. - 1963: Die Ergebnisse der Bohrung Savigny 1 bei Lausanne. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 30/78, 4-11.
54. - 1974: Vertikalbewegungen des vormesozoischen Sockels im nördlichen Alpenvorland vom Perm bis zur Gegenwart. Eclogae geol. Helv. 67, 121-133.
55. LIHOU, J.C. & ALLEN, P.A. 1996: Importance of inherited rift margin structures in the early North Alpine Foreland Basin, Switzerland. Basin Research, in press.
56. LOUP, B. 1992a: Evolution de la partie septentrionale du domaine helvétique en Suisse occidentale au Trias et au Lias: contrôle par subsidence thermique et variations du niveau marin. Publ. du Dépt. Géol. et Paléont. 12, Université de Genève.
57. - 1992b: Mesozoic subsidence and stretching models of the lithosphere in Switzerland (Jura, Swiss Plateau and Helvetic realm). Eclogae geol. Helv. 85, 541-572.
58. LOUP, B. & WILDI, W. 1994: Subsidence analysis in the Paris Basin: a key to Northwest European intracontinental basins? Basin Res. 6, 159-177.
59. MACARIO, A., MALINVERNO, A. & HAXBY, W.F. 1995: On the robustness of elastic thickness estimates obtained using the coherence method. J. geophys. Res. 100, 15163-15172.
60. MATTER, A., HOMEWOOD, P., CARON, C. RIGASSI, D., VANSTUIJVENBERG, J., WEIDMANN, M. & WINKLER, W. 1980: Flysch and Molasse of Western and Central Switzerland. In: Geology of Switzerland: A Guide Book. Part B: Geological Excursions (Ed. by TRÜMPY, R.). Schweiz. Geol. Komm., Wepf & Co. Publishers, Basel-New York, 261-293.
61. MATTER, A., PETERS, T., ISENSCHMID, C., BLÄSI, H.-R. & ZIEGLER, H.-J. 1987: Sondierbohrung Riniken - Geologie, Textband. Nagra tech. Ber. 86-02, Wettingen.
62. MATTER, A., PETERS, T., BLÄSI, H.-R., SCHENKER, F. & WEISS, H.-P. 1988a: Sondierbohrung Schafisheim - Geologie, Textband. Nagra tech. Ber. 86-03. Wettingen.
63. MATTER, A., PETERS, T., BLÄSI, H.-R., MEYER, J., ISCHI, H. & MEYER, C. 1988b: Sondierbohrung Weiach - Geologie, Textband. Nagra tech. Ber. 86-01, Wettingen.
64. MCNUTT, M.K., DIAMENT, M. & KUGAN, M.G. 1988: Variations of elastic plate thickness at continental thrust belts. J. geophys. Res. 93, 8825-8838.
65. MONNIER, F. 1982: Thermal diagenesis in the Swiss molasse basin: implications for oil generation. Canad. J. Earth Sci. 19, 328-342.
66. MUELLER, S. & PANZA, G.F. 1984: The lithosphere-asthenosphere system in Europe. In: First EGT workshop - The northern segment (Ed by GALSON, D.A. & MUELLER, S.). European Science Foundation, Strasbourg, 93-112.
67. MUKHOPADHYAY, P.K. 1994: Vitrinite reflectance as maturity parameter. Petrographic and molecular characterization and its applications to basin modeling. In: Vitrinite reflectance as a maturity parameter (Ed. by MUKHOPADHYAY, P.K. & Dow, W.G.). Amer. chem. Soc. Symp. Ser. 570, 1-24.
68. MÜLLER, W.H., HUBER, M., ISLER, A. & KLEBOTH, P. 1984: Erläuterungen zur Geologischen Karte der zentralen Nordostschweiz 1 : 100 000. Nagra tech. Ber. 84-25. Wettingen.
69. MULLIS, J. 1987: Fluideinschluss-Untersuchungen in den Nagra-Bohrungen der Nordschweiz. Eclogae geol. Helv. 80, 553-568.
70. NAGRA 1984: Die Kernbohrung Beznau. Beitr. Geol. Schweiz, geotech. Ser. 66.
71. PETERS. TJ., MATTER, A., BLÄSI, H.-R. & GAUTSCHI, A. 1986: Sondierbohrung Böttstein -Geologie, Textband und Beilagenband. Nagra tech. Ber. 85-02, Wettingen.
72. PFIFFNER, O.A. 1986: Evolution of the north Alpine foreland basin in the Central Alps. Spec. Publ. int. Assoc. Sediment. 8, 219-228.
73. PFIFFNER, O.A. & ERARD, P.F. IN PRESS: Two cross sections through the Swiss Molasse Basin. In: Deep structure of the Swiss Alps: Results from NFP/PNR 20 (Ed. by PFIFFNER, O.A., STECK, A., HEITZMANN, P. & LEHNER, P.). Birkhäuser, Basel.
74. PLATTE RIVER ASSOCIATE 1995: BasinMod® ID for Windows™, Document Version 5.0. 2000 West 120th Avenue, Suite 10, Denver, CO 80234, USA.
75. ROBERT, P. 1985: Histoire géothermique et diagenèse organique. Bull. Centres Rech. Expl.-Prod. Elf-Aquitaine, Mém. 8, Pau.
76. RYBACH, L. & BOOMER, P. 1980: Die geothermischen Verhältnisse der Schweizer Geotraverse im Abschnitt Basel-Luzern. Eclogae geol. Helv. 73, 501-512.
77. SACHSENHOKER, R.F. 1992: Coalification and thermal histories of Tertiary basins in relation to late Alpidic evolution of the Eastern Alps. Geol. Rdsch. 81, 291-308.
78. SAHAGIAN, D.L. & HOLLAND, S.M. 1993: On the thermo-mechanical evolution of continental lithosphere. J. geophys. Res. 98, 8261-8274.
79. SCHALTEGGER, U., ZWINGMANN, H., CLAUER, N., LARQUÉ, P. & STILLE, P. 1995: K-Ar dating of a Mesozoic activity in Carboniferous to Triassic clay minerals of northern Switzerland. Schweiz, mineral, petrogr. Mitt. 75, 163-176.
80. SCHEGG, R. 1992a.: Coalification, shale diagenesis and thermal modelling in the Alpine Foreland basin: the Western Molasse basin (Switzerland/France) Org. Geochemistry 18, 289-300.
81. - 1992b: Thermal maturity of the Swiss Molasse Basin: Indications for paleogeothermal anomalies? Eclogae geol. Helv. 85, 745-764.
82. - 1993: Thermal maturity and history of sediments in the North Alpine Foreland Basin (Switzerland, France). Publ. Dépt. Géol. et Paléont. 15, Université de Genève.
83. - 1994: The coalification profile of the well Weggis (Subalpine Molasse, Central Switzerland): Implications for erosion estimates and the paleogeothermal regime in the external part of the Alps. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. -Ing. 61/139, 57-67.
84. SCHEGG, R. & LEU, W. 1996: Clay mineral diagenesis and thermal history of the Thônex well, western Swiss Molasse Basin. Clays and Clay Min 44, 693-705.
85. - (IN PRESS): Analysis of erosion events in the North Alpine Foreland Basin of Switzerland. In: Basin Modelling: Practical Applications. (Ed. by DÜPPENBECKER, S. & ILLIFFE, J.E.) Spec. Publ. geol. Soc. London.
86. SIGNER, C. & GORIN, G.E. 1995: New geological observations between the Jura and the Alps in the Geneva area, as derived from reflection seimic data. Eclogae geol. Helv. 88, 235-265.
87. STACH, E., MACKOWSKY, M.-TH., TEICHMÜLLER, M. & R., TAYLOR, G.H. & CHANDRA, D. 1982: Stach's textbook of coal petrology. 3. ed., Gebrüder Bornträger, Berlin-Stuttgart.
88. SWEENEY, J.J. & BURNHAM, A.K. 1990: Evaluation of a Simple Model of Vitrinite Reflectance Based on Chemical Kinetics. Bull. amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. 74, 1559-1570.
89. TEICHMÜLLER, M. & TEICHMÜLLER, R. 1975: Inkohlungsuntersuchungen in der Molasse des Alpenvorlands. Geologica bavar. 73, 123-142.
90. TEICHMÜLLER, R. & TEICHMÜLLER, M. 1986: Relations between coalification and palaeogeothermics in Variscan and Alpidic foredeeps of western Euope. In: Paleogeothermics (Ed. by BUNTEBARTH, G. & STEGENA, L.). Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences 5, 53-78.
91. THURY, M., GAUTSCHI, A., MAZUREK, M., MÜLLER, W.H., NAEF, H., PEARSON, F.J., VOMVORIS, S. & WILSON, W. 1994: Geology and hydrogeology of the crystalline basement of Northern Switzerland. Nagra tech. Ber. 93-01, Wettingen,
92. TODOROV, I., SCHEGG, R. & WILDI, W. 1993: Thermal maturity of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments in the south of the Rhine Graben and the Eastern Jura (Switzerland). Ecloge geol. Helv. 86, 667-692.
93. VOBORNY, O., ADANK, P., HÜRLIMANN, W. & THOMPSON, B.M. 1993: Hydrogeologische Modellierung im Opalinus-Ton und in der Unteren Süsswasser-Molasse der Nordostschweiz. Nagra tech. Ber. 90-14, Wettingen.
94. VOLLMAYR, T. 1983: Temperaturmessungen in Erdölbohrungen der Schweiz. Bull. Ver. Schweiz. Petroleum-Geol. u. Ing. 49/116, 15-27.
95. WATTS, A.B., LAMB, S.H., FAIRHEAD, J.D. & DEWEY, J.F. 1995: Lithospheric flexure and bending of the Central Andes. Earth planet. Sci. Letters 134, 9-21.
96. WEIDMANN, M. 1982: Situation et description des coupes visitées en 1978. Doc. Lab. Géol. Fac. Sci. Lyon H.S. 7, 11-24.
97. - 1988: Atlas géol. Suisse 1 : 25000: Feuille 1243 Lausanne. Notice explicative. Service hydrol. et géol. nat., Berne.
98. WYGRALA, B.P. 1989: Integrated stdy of an oil field in the southern Po Basin, northern Italy. Ber. Kernforschungsanlage Jülich 2313.
99. ZIEGLER, P.A. 1987: Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic intra-plate compressional deformations in the Alpine foreland - a geodynamic model. Tectonophysics 137, 389-420.
100. ZOETEMEIJER, R., DESEGAULX, S., CLOETINGH, S., ROURE, F. & MORETTI, I. 1990: Lithospheric dynamics and tectonic-stratigraphic evolution of the Ebro Basin. J. geophys. Res. 95, 2701-2711.