MODELING OF THE 3D THERMAL FIELD IN THE NORTHEAST GERMAN BASIN

The regional thermal field of the NE-German basin is modeled by a thre e-dimensional finite-element approach and is compared to classical one -dimensional extrapolations. Two alternative boundary conditions are a ssumed at the approximate depth of the Moho: a constant temperature di stribution and a constant heat flow. Surprisingly, both results are al most identical down to approximately 10 km depth. Based on the models presented, the results are due to a complex interaction of different s trata and the related regional variability of conductivities. In addit ion, the available temperature maps for different depths (Hurtig et al . 1992) indicate a relative high heat flow at the basin margins especi ally at the southern and eastern boundary. The models are able to repr oduce the generalized pattern by regarding only a conductive heat flow . However, because both models are successful at shallow depth, we con clude that the current techniques of thermal modeling require improvem ent, even the theoretical aspects of depth continuation inversion.