Thermal maturity patterns in Alaska: Implications for tectonic evolution and hydrocarbon potential

Journal Article · Sun Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5467103

Johnsson, M J; Howell, D G; Bird, K J ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Nearly 10,000 vitrinite reflectance and conodont color alteration index determinations from sedimentary rocks in Alaska were used to produce a thermal maturity map of rocks exposed at the surface and to evaluate subsurface thermal maturity relations in the Colville and Cook Inlet basins. Rocks exposed at the surface of the Tertiary interior basins and in the Aleutian forearc and backarc basins uniformly are of very low thermal maturity, indicating that these basins are at or near maximum burial, have seen little uplift and exhumation, and are probably thermally immature with respect to hydrocarbon generation, In contrast, many sedimentary basins show elevated levels of thermal maturity at the surface, with the highest values at basin margins. This geometry suggests a pattern of greater uplift along basin margins, possibly reflecting isostatic readjustments as crustal loads are removed by erosion.

• OSTI ID: 5467103
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Vol. 77:11; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALASKA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MACERALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
TECTONICS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
USA
VITRINITE