Articles | Volume 16, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-425-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-425-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Lithologically constrained velocity–density relationships and vertical stress gradients in the North Alpine Foreland Basin, SE Germany
Peter Obermeier
Professorship of Geothermal Technologies, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 80333, Germany
Florian Duschl
Professorship of Geothermal Technologies, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 80333, Germany
Professorship of Geothermal Technologies, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 80333, Germany
Related authors
No articles found.
Lena-Maria Able, Eric Salomon, Florian Duschl, Harald Stollhofen, and Michael C. Drews
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3450, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3450, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Solid Earth (SE).
Short summary
Short summary
We assessed the suitability of a 3D micro-scanner to determine the envelope volume of irregular shaped rock samples. The device was evaluated regarding its representation of surface characteristics and its reproducibility in comparison to the commonly used envelope density analyzer. The 3D scanner is deemed a non-destructive alternative based on the lower variation in the measured values. It performs best for smooth surfaces, while recessed angles or shiny surfaces increase inaccuracy.
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews
Solid Earth, 16, 1041–1057, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In some situations where the crust plates collide into each other, they deform by creating folds and thrusts. Based on the development direction of the thrusts, they are categorized into fore- or back-thrusts. We use numerical simulation to investigate their development over geological timescales. We examine the importance of rock strength, friction, displacement type, and geometry on back-thrusting with regard to the final geometry of the deformation, along with the distribution of porosity and stresses.
Simon Freitag, Michael Drews, Wolfgang Bauer, Florian Duschl, David Misch, and Harald Stollhofen
Solid Earth, 13, 1003–1026, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1003-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1003-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The carbonates of the Malm are the main reservoir rocks for hydrothermal heat and power generation in southern Germany. To better understand these buried rocks, the carbonates exposed in northern Bavaria are often investigated. As the petrophysical properties of carbonates strongly depend on their subsidence history and maximum burial depth, we will investigate this issue by analyzing mudstones, which indirectly store this type of information and are found just below the Malm carbonates.
Cited articles
Ahlers, S., Henk, A., Hergert, T., Reiter, K., Müller, B., Röckel, L., Heidbach, O., Morawietz, S., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., and Anikiev, D.: 3D crustal stress state of Germany according to a data-calibrated geomechanical model, Solid Earth, 12, 1777–1799, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-1777-2021, 2021.
Ahlers, S., Röckel, L., Hergert, T., Reiter, K., Heidbach, O., Henk, A., Müller, B., Morawietz, S., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., and Anikiev, D.: The crustal stress field of Germany: a refined prediction, Geothermal Energy, 10, 10, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00222-6, 2022.
Allen, P. A. and Allen, J. R.: Basin Analysis: Principles and Application to Petroleum Play Assessment, 3rd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 632 pp., ISBN 978-0-470-67377-5, 2013.
Asquith, G. and Krygowski, D.: Basic well log analysis, Second Edition, AAPG Methods in Exploration, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, Oklahoma, https://doi.org/10.1306/Mth16823, 2004.
Athy, L. F.: Density, porosity and compaction of sedimentary rocks, AAPG Bull., 14, 1–24, 1930.
Bachmann, G. H. and Müller, M.: Geologie der Tiefbohrung Vorderriß 1 (Kalkalpen, Bayern), Geol. Bavarica, 81, 17–53, 1981.
Bachmann, G. H. and Müller, M.: Sedimentary and structural evolution of the German Molasse Basin, Eclogae Geol. Helv., 85, 519–530, 1992.
Bachmann, G. H. and Müller, M.: Die Entwicklung des süddeutschen Molassebeckens seit dem Variszikum: Eine Einführung, Z. Geol. Wissenschaft., 24, 3–20, 1996.
Bachmann, G. H., Koch, K., Müller, M., and Weggen, K.: Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen bei der Exploration in den Bayerischen Alpen, Erdoel-Erdgas-Zeitschrift, 97, 127–133, 1981.
Bachmann, G. H., Müller, M., and Weggen, K.: Evolution of the Molasse Basin (Germany, Switzerland), Tectonophysics, 137, 77–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(87)90315-5, 1987.
Bohnsack, D., Potten, M., Pfrang, D., Wolpert, P., and Zosseder, K.: Porosity–permeability relationship derived from Upper Jurassic carbonate rock cores to assess the regional hydraulic matrix properties of the Malm reservoir in the South German Molasse Basin, Geothermal Energy, 8, 12, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-020-00166-9, 2020.
Bowers, G. L.: Pore pressure estimation from velocity data: Accounting for overpressure mechanisms besides undercompaction, SPE Drill. Completion, 10, 89–95, 1995.
Bowers, G. L.: Detecting high overpressure, The Leading Edge, 21, 174–177, 2002.
Budach, I., Moeck, I., Lüschen, E., and Wolfgramm, M.: Temporal evolution of fault systems in the Upper Jurassic of the Central German Molasse Basin: case study Unterhaching, Int. J. Earth Sci., 107, 635–653, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-017-1518-1, 2018.
BVG: Tiefe Geothermie-Projekte in Deutschland 2024, https://www.geothermie.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Aktuelles/Geothermie_in_Zahlen/BVG_Poster_Tiefe_Geothermie_2024_web.pdf (last access: 12 February 2025), 2024.
Couzens-Schultz, B. A. and Azbel, K.: Predicting pore pressure in active fold-thrust systems: An empirical model for the deepwater Sabah foldbelt, J. Struct. Geol., 69, 465–480, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2014.07.013, 2014.
Drews, M. C. and Duschl, F.: Overpressure, vertical stress, compaction and horizontal loading along the North Alpine Thrust Front, SE Germany, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 143, 105806, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2022.105806, 2022.
Drews, M. C., Bauer, W., Caracciolo, L., and Stollhofen, H.: Disequilibrium compaction overpressure in shales of the Bavarian Foreland Molasse Basin: Results and geographical distribution from velocity-based analyses, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 92, 37–50, 2018.
Drews, M. C., Hofstettter, P., Zosseder, K., Shipilin, V., and Stollhofen, H.: Predictability and mechanisms of overpressure in the Bavarian Foreland Molasse Basin: An integrated analysis of the Geretsried GEN-1 Deep Geothermal Well, Geoth. Energy, 8, 3, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-019-0121-z, 2020.
Drews, M. C., Seithel, R., Savvatis, A., Kohl, T., and Stollhofen, H.: A normal-faulting stress regime in the Bavarian Foreland Molasse Basin? New evidence from detailed analysis of leak-off and formation integrity tests in the greater Munich area, SE-Germany, Tectonophysics, 755, 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.02.011, 2019.
Drews, M. C., Shatyrbayeva, I., Bohnsack, D., Duschl, F., Obermeier, P., Loewer, M., Flechtner, F., and Keim, M.: The role of pore pressure and its prediction in deep geothermal energy drilling – examples from the North Alpine Foreland Basin, SE Germany, Petrol. Geosci., 28, petgeo2021-060, https://doi.org/10.1144/petgeo2021-060, 2022.
Flechtner, F. and Aubele, K.: A brief stock take of the deep geothermal projects in Bavaria, Germany (2018), PROCEEDINGS, 44th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 11–13 February, https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/db/GeoConf/papers/SGW/2019/Flechtner.pdf (last access: 25 May 2025), 2019.
Gardner, G. H. F., Gardner, L. W., and Gregory, A. R.: Formation velocity and density – the diagnostic basics for stratigraphic traps, Geophysics, 39, 770–780, 1974.
Gier, S., Ottner, F., and Johns, W. D.: Layer-charge heterogeneity in smectites of I-S phases in pelitic sediments from the Molasse Basin, Austria, Clay. Clay Mineral., 46, 670–678, https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1998.0460607, 1998.
Großmann, J., Hofmann, N., Pamer, R., Spörlein, T., Pechnig, R., Knapp, D., Clauser, K., Karp, T., and Günther, D.: Abgeschlossene Arbeiten zur Digitalisierung geophysikalischer Grundlagendaten in Bayern, Geologica Bavarica, 127, 1–115, 2024.
Grundtner, M.-L., Gross, D., Linzer, H. G., Neuhuber, S., Sachsenhofer, R. F., and Scheucher, L.: The diagenetic history of Oligocene-Miocene sandstones of the Austrian north Alpine foreland basin, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 77, 418–434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.04.003, 2016.
Kuhlemann, J. and Kempf, O.: Post-Eocene evolution of the North Alpine Foreland Basin and its response to Alpine tectonics, Sediment. Geol., 152, 45–78, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(01)00285-8, 2002.
Lemcke, K.: Zur nachpermischen Geschichte des nördlichen Alpenvorlands, Geologica Bavarica, 69, 5–48, 1973.
Lemcke, K.: Übertiefe Grundwässer im süddeutschen Alpenvorland, Bulletin der Vereinigung Schweiz, Petroleum-Geologen und -Ingenieure, 42, 9–18, 1976.
Lemcke, K.: Dreissig Jahre Oel- und Gassuche im süddeutschen Alpenvorland, Jahresberichte und Mitteilungen des Oberrheinischen Geologischen Vereins, 61, 305–317, 1979.
Lemcke, K.: Das Bayerische Alpenvorland vor der Eiszeit, Schweizerbart Science Publishers, Stuttgart, Germany, 1–175, ISBN 978-3-510-65135-1, 1988.
Leu, W., Mégel, T., and Schärli, U.: Geothermische Eigenschaften der Schweizer Molasse Tiefenbereich 0–500 m – Datenbank für Wärmeleitfähigkeit, spezifische Wärmekapazität, Gesteinsdichte und Porosität, Bericht Schweizer Bundesamt für Energie, https://inis.iaea.org/records/14nez-c8x36 (last access: 25 May 2025), 2006.
Lohr, J.: Die seismischen Geschwindigkeiten der jüngeren Molasse im ostschweizerischen und deutschen Alpenvorland, Geophys. Prospect., 17, 111–125, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.1969.tb02075.x, 1969.
Lohr, J.: Alpine stress documented by anomalous seismic velocities in the Molasse trough, Inter-Union Com. On Geodynamics, Sci. Rep., 38, 69–71, 1978.
Medici, G., Ling F., and Shang J.: Review of discrete fracture network characterization for geothermal energy extraction, Front. Earth Sci., 11, 1328397, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1328397, 2023.
Megies, T. and Wassermann, J.: Microseismicity observed at a non-pressure-stimulated geothermal power plant, Geothermics, 52, 36–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2014.01.002, 2014.
Müller, M. and Nieberding, F.: Principles of abnormal pressures related to tectonic developments and their implication for drilling activities (Bavarian Alps, Germany), in: Oil and Gas in Alpidic Thrusbelts and Basins of Central and Eastern Europe, edited by: Wessely, G. and Liebl., W., EAGE Spec. Pub., 119–126, 1996.
Müller, M., Nieberding, F., and Wanninger, A.: Tectonic style and pressure distribution at the northern margin of the Alps between Lake Constance and the River Inn, Geol. Rundsch., 77, 787–796, 1988.
Ortner, H., Aichholzer, S., Zerlauth, M., Pilser, R., and Fügenschuh, B.: Geometry, amount, and sequence of thrusting in the Subalpine Molasse of western Austria and southern Germany, European Alps, Tectonics, 34, 1–30, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014TC003550, 2015.
Pfiffner, O. A.: Evolution of the north Alpine foreland basin in the Central Alps, in: Foreland Basins, edited by: Allen, P. A. and Homewood, P., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 219–228, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444303810.ch11, 1986.,
Raiga-Clemenceau, J., Martin, J. P., and Nicoletis, S.: The concept of acoustic formation factor for more accurate porosity determination from sonic transit time data, SPWLA 27th Annual Logging Symposium, Houston, Texas, June 1986, https://onepetro.org/SPWLAALS/proceedings-abstract/SPWLA-1986/All-SPWLA-1986/SPWLA-1986-G/18543 (last access: 25 May 2025), 1986.
Reinecker, J., Tingay, M., Müller, B., and Heidbach, O.: Present-day stress orientation in the Molasse Basin, Tectonophysics, 482, 129–138, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2009.07.021, 2010.
Rizzi, P. W.: Hochdruckzonenfrüherkennung in Mitteleuropa, Erdoel-Erdgas-Zeitschrift, 89, 249–256, 1973.
Schulz, I., Steiner, U., and Schubert, A.: Factors for the Success of Deep Geothermal Projects – Experience from the Bavarian Molasse Basin, Erdöl Erdgas Kohle, 133, 73–79, 2017.
Sclater, G. and Christie, P. A. F.: Continental stretching: An explanation of the Post-Mid-Cretaceous subsidence of the central North Sea Basin, J. Geophys. Research, 85, 3711–3739, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB085iB07p03711, 1980.
Seithel, R., Steiner, U., Müller, B., Hecht, C., and Kohl, T.: Local stress anomaly in the Bavarian Molasse Basin, Geoth. Energy, 3, 4, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-014-0023-z, 2015.
Shatyrbayeva, I., Bohnsack, D., Duschl, F., and Drews, M. C.: Comparison and integration of pore pressure measurements and indicators from drilling data in a deep geothermal energy play in SE Germany, Geoenergy, 1, geoenergy2023-2038, https://doi.org/10.1144/geoenergy2023-038, 2023.
Shatyrbayeva, I., Duschl, F., and Drews, M.: Drilling data-calibrated shale compaction models for pore pressure evaluation from geophysical well logs in the North Alpine Foreland Basin, SE Germany, Petrol. Geosci., 30, petgeo2024-014, doi.org/10.1144/petgeo2024-014, 2024.
von Hartmann, H., Tanner, D. C., and Schumacher, S.: Initiation and development of normal faults within the German alpine foreland basin: The inconspicuous role of basement structures, Tectonics, 35, 1560–1574, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016TC004176, 2016.
Wyllie, M. R. J., Gregory, A. R., and Gardner, L. W.: Elastic wave velocities in heterogeneous and porous media, Geophysics, 21, 41–70, 1956.
Yang, Y. and Aplin, A. C.: Definition and practical application of mudstone porosity-effective stress relationships, Petrol. Geosci., 10, 153–162, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079302-567, 2004.
Zhang, J.: Pore pressure prediction from well logs: Methods, modifications, and new approaches, Earth-Sci. Rev., 108, 50–63, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2011.06.001, 2011.
Ziegler, M. O. and Heidbach, O.: The 3D stress state from geomechanical–numerical modelling and its uncertainties: a case study in the Bavarian Molasse Basin, Geothermal Energy, 8, 11, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-020-00162-z, 2020.
Ziegler, M. O., Heidbach, O., Reinecker, J., Przybycin, A. M., and Scheck-Wenderoth, M.: A multi-stage 3-D stress field modelling approach exemplified in the Bavarian Molasse Basin, Solid Earth, 7, 1365–1382, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-1365-2016, 2016.
Zoback, M. D.: Reservoir Geomechanics, Reservoir Geomechanics, Cambridge University Press, 1–452, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511586477, 2007.
Zweigel, J.: Eustatic versus tectonic control on foreland basin fill: Sequence stratigraphy, subsidence analysis, stratigraphic modelling, and reservoir modelling applied to the German Molasse basin, Contributions to Sedimentary Geology, 20, 140 pp., ISBN 978-3-510-57020-1, 1998.
Short summary
We investigate geophysical properties and the distribution of vertical stress, which is defined by the weight of the rock column above a certain location in the subsurface, in the upper 5 km of the North Alpine Foreland Basin in Germany. Our results help us to understand the present-day geological configuration and to improve safety for subsurface use, such as deep geothermal energy production in the study area.
We investigate geophysical properties and the distribution of vertical stress, which is defined...