Deep 3D thermal modelling for the city of Berlin (Germany)

This study predicts the subsurface temperature distribution of Germany’s capital Berlin. For this purpose, a data-based lithosphere-scale 3D structural model is developed incorporating 21 individual geological units. This model shows a horizontal grid resolution of (500 × 500) m and provides the geometric base for two different approaches of 3D thermal simulations: (1) calculations of the steady-state purely conductive thermal field and (2) simulations of coupled fluid flow and heat transport. The results point out fundamentally different structural and thermal configurations for potential geothermal target units. The top of the Triassic Middle Buntsandstein strongly varies in depth (159–2,470 m below sea level) and predicted temperatures (15–95 °C), mostly because of the complex geometry of the underlying Permian Zechstein salt. The top of the sub-salt Sedimentary Rotliegend is rather flat (2,890–3,785 m below sea level) and reveals temperatures of 85–139 °C. The predicted 70 °C-isotherm is located at depths of about 1,500–2,200 m, cutting the Middle Buntsandstein over large parts of Berlin. The 110 °C-isotherm at 2,900–3,700 m depth widely crosscuts the Sedimentary Rotliegend. Groundwater flow results in subsurface cooling the extent of which is strongly controlled by the geometry and the distribution of the Tertiary Rupelian Clay. The cooling effect is strongest where this clay-rich aquitard is thinnest or missing, thus facilitating deep-reaching forced convective flow. The differences between the purely conductive and coupled models highlight the need for investigations of the complex interrelation of flow- and thermal fields to properly predict temperatures in sedimentary systems.     

Controls on the deep thermal field: implications from 3-D numerical simulations for the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck

The deep thermal field in sedimentary basins can be affected by convection, conduction or both resulting from the structural inventory, physical properties of geological layers and physical processes taking place therein. For geothermal energy extraction, the controlling factors of the deep thermal field need to be understood to delineate favorable drill sites and exploitation compartments. We use geologically based 3-D finite element simulations to figure out the geologic controls on the thermal field of the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck located in the E part of the North German Basin. Its target reservoir consists of Permian Rotliegend clastics that compose the lower part of a succession of Late Carboniferous to Cenozoic sediments, subdivided into several aquifers and aquicludes. The sedimentary succession includes a layer of mobilized Upper Permian Zechstein salt which plays a special role for the thermal field due to its high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the salt is impermeable and due to its rheology decouples the fault systems in the suprasalt units from subsalt layers. Conductive and coupled fluid and heat transport simulations are carried out to assess the relative impact of different heat transfer mechanisms on the temperature distribution. The measured temperatures in 7 wells are used for model validation and show a better fit with models considering fluid and heat transport than with a purely conductive model. Our results suggest that advective and convective heat transport are important heat transfer processes in the suprasalt sediments. In contrast, thermal conduction mainly controls the subsalt layers. With a third simulation, we investigate the influence of a major permeable and of three impermeable faults dissecting the subsalt target reservoir and compare the results to the coupled model where no faults are integrated. The permeable fault may have a local, strong impact on the thermal, pressure and velocity fields whereas the impermeable faults only cause deviations of the pressure field.     

The heat transfer in the region of the Mauna Kea (Hawaii)—constraints from borehole temperature measurements and coupled thermo-hydraulic modeling

The objectives of this paper are an understanding of the thermal and hydraulic field because of a negative temperature gradient and cold temperatures in the 1-km-deep borehole of the Hawaiian Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP), located near the coast line. The temperature pattern is attributed to a superposition of thermal and hydraulic processes. In the deeper borehole (HSDP-2, depth 3.1 km) detailed temperature monitoring was performed. Temperature measurements reveal two different thermal regimes. The upper part is characterised by cold temperatures and a negative temperature gradient similar to those observed in the shallow pilot borehole. Below 1100 m, increasing temperatures are observed. Different processes, such as topographically driven groundwater flow, ingress of salt water and conductive heat flow are investigated by numerical modeling. A pure conductive scenario fails to match the temperature measurements, implying that both borehole sections are overprinted by advective conditions. Coupled fluid and heat flow modeling with solute transport yield results that agree with observed temperatures. The results of these simulations suggest that meteoric water flow from the mountain range controls the thermal conditions in the upper part of the borehole. Below this level, the thermal regime is additionally affected by circulation of salt water from the nearby ocean. Each of these flow systems has been observed at other locations: topographically driven fresh water at locations with pronounced topography and ingress of salt water is typical for islands or coastal areas. At Hawaii, they coincide and influence each other, resulting in a salt water interface occurring at greater depth than expected.     

The deep thermal field of the Glueckstadt Graben

With this paper, we assess the present-day conductive thermal field of the Glueckstadt Graben in NW Germany that is characterized by large salt walls and diapirs structuring the graben fill. We use a finite element method to calculate the 3D steady-state conductive thermal field based on a lithosphere-scale 3D structural model that resolves the first-order structural characteristics of the graben and its underlying lithosphere. Model predictions are validated against measured temperatures in six deep wells. Our investigations show that the interaction of thickness distributions and thermal rock properties of the different geological layers is of major importance for the distribution of temperatures in the deep subsurface of the Glueckstadt Graben. However, the local temperatures may result from the superposed effects of different controlling factors. Especially, the upper sedimentary part of the model exhibits huge lateral temperature variations, which correlate spatially with the shape of the thermally highly conductive Permian salt layer. Variations in thickness and geometry of the salt cause two major effects, which provoke considerable lateral temperature variations for a given depth. (1) The “chimney effect” causes more efficient heat transport within salt diapirs. As a consequence positive thermal anomalies develop in the upper part and above salt structures, where the latter are covered by much less conductive sediments. In contrast, negative thermal anomalies are noticeable underneath salt structures. (2) The “thermal blanketing effect” is caused by thermally low conductive sediments that provoke the local storage of heat where these insulating sediments are present. The latter effect leads to both local and regional thermal anomalies. Locally, this translates to higher temperatures where salt margin synclines are filled with thick insulating clastic sediments. For the regional anomalies the cumulative insulating effects of the entire sediment fill results in a long-wavelength variation of temperatures in response to heat refraction effects caused by the contrast between insulating sediments and highly conductive crystalline crust. Finally, the longest wavelength of temperature variations is caused by the depth position of the isothermal lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary defining the regional variations of the overall geothermal gradient. We find that a conductive thermal model predicts observed temperatures reasonably well for five of the six available wells, whereas the steady-state conductive approach appears not to be valid for the sixth well.     

咸阳地热田钻孔温度测量及水动力系统

地热田温度场分析, 不仅为地热田类型划分和热源机理研究提供科学根据, 而且可以为确定地热田有利开采区域和深度提供直接依据。本文报道了咸阳地热田13口钻孔的系统(准)稳态测温数据, 对研究区温度的垂向分布特征做了初步分析, 并据此划分了地热田水动力系统。结果表明, 咸阳地热田属于以传导为主的沉积盆地型地热田, 地温梯度为26.2~40.1 ℃/km, 平均为32.4 ℃/km。然而, 与典型的传导型地热田相比, 咸阳地热田的地温场特征又存在特殊性, 表现为钻孔温度-深度曲线分段性明显: 浅部受地表水流动对温度场的影响, 地温曲线呈现出锯齿形波动; 钻孔中上部受地表水和深部水热活动影响较小, 温度曲线为传导性地热特征; 井孔中下部测温曲线明显"下凹", 揭示了地下水沿渭河断裂侧向补给的同时使地层温度降低; 井孔下部温度随深度异常增大, 表明存在异常压力流体封存箱。测温资料揭示了咸阳地热田水动力系统在垂向上存在多层结构: 浅部为垂向重力驱动型, 中上部为正常压实型, 中下部为侧向重力驱动型, 下部为封闭型。基于咸阳地热田水动力系统的多层结构, 建议将各系统赋存的地热资源分别进行规划和开发。     

High-resolution seismic analysis of the coastal Mecklenburg Bay (North German Basin): the pre-Alpine evolution

The pre-Alpine structural and geological evolution in the northern part of the North German Basin have been revealed on the basis of a very dense reflection seismic profile grid. The study area is situated in the coastal Mecklenburg Bay (Germany), part of the southwestern Baltic Sea. From the central part of the North German Basin to the northern basin margin in the Grimmen High area a series of high-resolution maps show the evolution from the base Zechstein to the Lower Jurassic. We present a map of basement faults affecting the pre-Zechstein. The pre-Alpine structural evolution of the region has been determined from digital mapping of post-Permian key horizons traced on the processed seismic time sections. The geological evolution of the North German Basin can be separated into four distinct periods in the Rerik study area. During Late Permian and Early Triassic evaporites and clastics were deposited. Salt movement was initiated after the deposition of the Middle Triassic Muschelkalk. Salt pillows, which were previously unmapped in the study area, are responsible for the creation of smaller subsidence centers and angular unconformities in the Late Triassic Keuper, especially in the vicinity of the fault-bounded Grimmen High. In this area, partly Lower Jurassic sediments overlie the Keuper unconformably. The change from extension to compression in the regional stress field remobilized the salt, leading to a major unconformity marked at the base of the Late Cretaceous.     

A sandy tidal coast in the uppermost Muschelkalk and the origin of the Muschelkalk/Keuper boundary in the southwestern Germanic basin

A tidal coast is documented in mixed siliciclastic and carbonate sands of the uppermost Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic) along the southwestern margin of the Germanic basin in Luxembourg. The coastal sediments are vertically and laterally stacked channel fills, interpreted to have formed in a tidal flat environment. The channel fills overlie carbonates of a shallow subtidal ramp. The strong progradation of the tidal flat indicates deposition during a late stage of sea-level highstand, but before sea-level fall. In their upper part, the channel fills are overprinted by a thick paleosol, which resulted from subaerial exposure around the time of the Muschelkalk/Keuper boundary. The exposure and formation of the paleosol in the subtidal coastal sediments and, in basinward sections, the deposition of dolomicrites above the Muschelkalk/ Keuper boundary in the lowermost Keuper both indicate a sea-level fall.     

Salt insertions in sedimentary sequences: impacts on temperature and thermal maturation with depth

Due to the contrast in thermal conductivity between salt and typical sedimentary formations the presence of salt in various shapes in the sub-surface can have a significant impact on the sub-surface temperature distribution and thermal maturation of source rocks. Using a thermal indicator tomography 1-D modelling system, which deals with salt insertion, the thermal and excess maturity anomalies caused solely by the presence of a salt layer are investigated. Two cases, salt ‘plug’ and ‘lens’, illuminate the different patterns of vitrinite reflectance variation with depth that would be recorded by borehole sampling. Salt can be inserted either as a primary depositional layer or by secondary intrusion at depth. The effects of salt are more dominant on the subsalt layers because: 1 salt insertion changes the burial paths of subsalt sediments. Thus the compaction-driven fluid flow of subsalt sediments, and also basement subsidence, are altered; 2 iso-temperature lines are modified by the presence of the salt and the variation depends on the thickness of the salt layer. The model was also designed to estimate the time of salt insertion and the variation of salt thickness in an inverse sense using present day data on temperature with depth and measured thermal indicators. An investigation is given of the degree to which inverse procedures resolve parameters associated with salt insertion. The sensitivity of those parameters is also discussed.     

天然气水合物地层渗透率研究进展

天然气水合物开采涉及传热、水合物分解相变、多相渗流和地层变形4个物理过程。多相渗流过程伴随着对流传热,影响传热效率;多相渗流过程影响孔隙压力的消散速率,引起有效应力改变而影响地层变形;多相渗流过程影响传热的效率和孔隙压力的消散速率,使温度和压力条件发生变化,影响水合物的分解。多相渗流过程中,某相流体的有效渗透率不仅与该相流体的饱和度有关,还与地层绝对渗透率有关。地层绝对渗透率是多相渗流过程的关键参数之一。概述不同贮存状态水合物、地层孔隙率、水合物饱和度和地层有效应力对地层绝对渗透率影响的研究内容。以国内外天然气水合物地层绝对渗透率研究成果为基础,将来的研究重点主要包括粉细砂、黏土类地层和各向异性地层多相渗流研究,以及地层有效应力对绝对渗透率影响研究。     

河北汤泉地热田地温场分布及其控制因素研究

汤泉位于河北省遵化市西北部,为山前丘陵地貌,地热资源丰富。本文对汤泉地热田内分布的诸多基岩热水井进行了钻孔测温,利用测温结果对该地热田地温场分布特征及控制因素进行了研究。研究发现:钻孔温度明显受地下水流的影响,绝大部分测温井表现为对流传热特征,个别表现为传导为主的传热特征;地温异常区域位于汤泉福泉宫和疗养院一带,异常中心呈两极分布,地热异常中心50 m埋深水温为51~54℃,100 m埋深水温可达60~67℃;该地热系统中地热水系地下水在深循环过程中,在正常的大地热流背景下被围岩逐渐加热所致;由花岗岩隔水底板构造形态所形成的隐伏盆地,构成了福泉宫至疗养院一带的蓄水构造;由于断裂构造切割花岗岩体,造成深部的热流沿断裂上升,混合并加热赋存于福泉宫至疗养院一带蓄水构造中的片麻岩裂隙水,形成该地段的地热异常现象;福泉宫地区和疗养院地区片麻岩含水层裂隙发育,使得深部热量能够快速到达浅部地层,并在浅部出现局部异常高温;汤泉地热田片麻岩热储层地热流体属于含岩盐地层溶滤的陆相沉积水,主要来源于大气降水。     

Modeling of the 3D thermal field in the northeast German basin

The regional thermal field of the NE-German basin is modeled by a three-dimensional finite-element approach and is compared to classical one-dimensional extrapolations. Two alternative boundary conditions are assumed at the approximate depth of the Moho: a constant temperature distribution and a constant heat flow. Surprisingly, both results are almost identical down to approximately 10?km depth. Based on the models presented, the results are due to a complex interaction of different strata and the related regional variability of conductivities. In addition, the available temperature maps for different depths (Hurtig et al. 1992) indicate a relative high heat flow at the basin margins especially at the southern and eastern boundary. The models are able to reproduce the generalized pattern by regarding only a conductive heat flow. However, because both models are successful at shallow depth, we conclude that the current techniques of thermal modeling require improvement, even on the theoretical aspects of depth continuation and inversion.     

Chemical evolution of thermal waters from limestone aquifers of the Southern Upper Rhine Valley

Thermal spas in the Upper Rhine Graben recover their waters mainly from two different limestone aquifers, Hauptrogenstein (Middle Jurassic) and Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic). The thermal waters are heated along anomalous high thermal gradients in the Tertiary rift valley. The highest well head temperature is about 40°C in Hauptrogenstein wells and 60°C in Muschelkalk wells. Mineralization (TDS) is up to 5 g/kg in Hauptrogenstein and as high as 17 g/kg in the Muschelkalk aquifer. About 300 chemical analyses from 13 wells were used in this study.Compositional relationships between major chemical components (Na/Cl, K/Cl, Mg/Cl, SO₄/Cl, Cl/Br and Na/Br) suggest that thermal water from the Hauptrogenstein originates from mixing of 3 components: (a) meteoric water, (b) fossil seawater (residual formation water) and (c) a third component that resulted from water–rock reaction.The total amount of dissolved solids and the water type from the deeper Muschelkalk aquifer depends on the depth of the aquifer at the well location. The chemical characteristics of the thermal water indicate that water composition is derived mainly from water–rock interaction.     

Two dimensional fluid flow models at two gas hydrate sites offshore southwestern Taiwan

Fluid migration patterns are important for understanding gas hydrate and hydrocarbon systems. However, conducting experiments on or below the seafloor is difficult because crustal fluid flow rates are usually very slow, so long term observations are needed. Temperature can be used as a good tracer for studying fluid flows. Temperatures derived from bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs) might help to understand fluid migration patterns in shallow marine sediments. In this study, we studied 2D fluid flow patterns in two potential gas hydrate provinces offshore southwestern Taiwan: the Yung-An Ridge in the active margin and Formosa Ridge in the passive margin. We used 2D bathymetry, average seafloor temperatures and regional geothermal gradients measured by thermal probes, as constraints to construct 2D theoretical conductive temperature fields using finite element methods. We then compared the BSR-based temperature with the theoretical conductive temperature field. The results show a temperature discrepancy attributed to advective heat transfer due to fluid migration. For the Yung-An Ridge, the BSR-based temperatures are about 2 °C higher than the model: Especially in (1) near a fault zone, (2) under the eastern flank where there are strong seismic reflectors in a pseudo-3D seismic dataset, and (3) near a fissure zone. For the Formosa Ridge, our results showed a distinct decrease in temperatures around the southern peak of the ridge, where an active gas plume was found. BSR-based temperatures predict on average 2 °C lower than the model. At these two sites, the shallow temperature fields are strongly affected by 2D bathymetry. However, new insights regarding fluid flow patterns can be obtained using this model approach.     

Basin evolution of the northern part of the Northeast German Basin — Insights from a 3D structural model

A 3D structural model for the entire southwestern Baltic Sea and the adjacent onshore areas was created with the purpose to analyse the structural framework and the sediment distribution in the area. The model was compiled with information from several geological time-isochore maps and digital depth maps from the area and consists of six post-Rotliegend successions: The Upper Permian Zechstein; Lower Triassic; Middle Triassic; Upper Triassic–Jurassic; Cretaceous and Cenozoic. This structural model was the basis for a 3D backstripping approach, considering salt flow as a consequence of spatially changing overburden load distribution, isostatic rebound and sedimentary compaction for each backstripping step in order to reconstruct the subsidence history in the region. This method allows determination of the amount of tectonic subsidence or uplifting as a consequence of the regional stress field acting on the basin and was followed by a correlation with periods of active salt movement. In general, the successions above the highly deformed Zechstein evaporites reveal a thickening trend towards the Glückstadt Graben, which also experienced the highest amount of tectonic subsidence during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Two periods of accelerating salt movement in the area has been correlated with the E–W directed extension during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and later by the Late Cretaceous–Early Cenozoic inversion, suggesting that the regional stress field plays a key role in halokinesis. The final part of this work dealt with a neotectonic forward modelling in an attempt to predict the future topography when the system is in a tectonic equilibrium. The result reveals that many of the salt structures in the region are still active and that future coastline will run with a WNW–ESE trend, arguing that the compressional stresses related to the Alpine collision are the prime factor for the present-day landscape evolution.     

Late-Variscan fluid migration at the Variscan thrust front of Eastern Belgium: numerical modelling of the palaeothermal and fluid flow field

Modelling of the palaeothermal field at the Variscan thrust front in eastern Belgium indicates significant temperature modifications by late-Variscan palaeofluids migrating from internal to peripheral parts of the orogen. A detailed set of calibration data (chlorite geothermometry, microthermometry, organic rank) gives evidence of temporary palaeotemperature variations at the Variscan thrust front obviously connected to the migration of hot, low saline palaeofluids. These thermal events likely enhanced organic maturation (vitrinite reflectance, conodont alteration) of Devonian and Carboniferous sediments, which accumulated long before the Variscan orogeny occurred. Numerical simulation (2D Finite Element method) of the palaeothermal field includes coupled heat transport by thermal conduction and fluid flow. Palaeothermal scenarios yield successive palaeotemperatures (200–300°C), which are indicated by the control data, due to relatively short-term fluid ascent along the detachment and the imbricate thrust front. The simulated flow velocities are up to tens of metre per year lasting several thousand years (non-steady-state solution). In the scenarios modelled, these thermal events occur in a realm of enhanced bulk temperatures due to elevated basal heat flow densities (90 mW m⁻²) and an additional burial depth of some kilometres. The simulated temperature enhancement due to fluids ascending at the Variscan thrust front is several tens degrees. The scenarios demonstrate long-distance fluid migration during or after deformation of the Palaeozoic basin and its effect on the palaeothermal field.     

青藏高原昌都盆地上三叠统流体活动特征

对昌都盆地上三叠统采集的25块流体包裹体样品进行了显微观察和显微测温、测盐等系统分析。显微观察结果证实了研究区古油藏的存在,同时指示晚三叠世早期存在活跃的油气运聚过程,晚期受热改造破坏而残留大量沥青。显微测温结果表明上三叠统发生过至少6幕流体充注,第1～4幕含烃流体活动明显。结合埋藏史分析可知,可能存在两期流体活动,分别发生在188.6～181.8Ma(早侏罗世中期)和174.0～157.1Ma(中侏罗世早期到晚侏罗世中期),其中第2期流体活动特征表现为连续充注的过程。     

The Mesozoic–Cenozoic structural framework of the Bay of Kiel area, western Baltic Sea

A dense grid of multichannel high-resolution seismic sections from the Bay of Kiel in the western Baltic Sea has been interpreted in order to reveal the Mesozoic and Cenozoic geological evolution of the northern part of the North German Basin. The overall geological evolution of the study area can be separated into four distinct periods. During the Triassic and the Early Jurassic, E–W extension and the deposition of clastic sediments initiated the movement of the underlying Zechstein evaporites. The deposition ceased during the Middle Jurassic, when the entire area was uplifted as a result of the Mid North Sea Doming. The uplift resulted in a pronounced erosion of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata. This event is marked by a clear angular unconformity on all the seismic sections. The region remained an area of non-deposition until the end of the Early Cretaceous, when the sedimentation resumed in the area. Throughout the Late Cretaceous the sedimentation took place under tectonic quiescence. Reactivated salt movement is observed at the Cretaceous Cenozoic transition as a result of the change from an extensional to compressional regional stress field. The vertical salt movement influenced the Cenozoic sedimentation and resulted in thin-skinned faulting.     

Analysis of Pore Pressure and Stress Distribution around a Wellbore Drilled in Chemically Active Elastoplastic Formations

Drilling in low-permeable reactive shale formations with water-based drilling mud presents significant challenges, particularly in high-pressure and high-temperature environments. In previous studies, several models were proposed to describe the thermodynamic behaviour of shale. Most shale formations under high pressure are expected to undergo plastic deformation. An innovative algorithm including work hardening is proposed in the framework of thermo-chemo-poroelasticity to investigate the effect of plasticity on stresses around the wellbore. For this purpose a finite-element model of coupled thermo-chemo-poro-elastoplasticity is developed. The governing equations are based on the concept of thermodynamics of irreversible processes in discontinuous systems. In order to solve the plastic problem, a single-step backward Euler algorithm containing a yield surface-correction scheme is used to integrate the plastic stress–strain relation. An initial stress method is employed to solve the non-linearity of the plastic equation. In addition, super convergent patch recovery is used to accurately evaluate the time-dependent stress tensor from nodal displacement. The results of this study reveal that thermal and chemical osmosis can significantly affect the fluid flow in low-permeable shale formations. When the salinity of drilling mud is higher than that of pore fluid, fluid is pulled out of the formation by chemical osmotic back flow. Similar results are observed when the temperature of drilling mud is lower than that of the formation fluid. It is found that linear elastic approaches to wellbore stability analysis appear to overestimate the tangential stress around the wellbore and produce more conservative stresses compared to the results of field observation. Therefore, the drilling mud properties obtained from the elastoplastic wellbore stability in shales provide a safer mud weight window and reduce drilling cost.     

Thermal effects on fluid flow and hydraulic fracturing from wellbores and cavities in low-permeability formations

The coupled heat-fluid-stress problem of circular wellbore or spherical cavity subjected to a constant temperature change and a constant fluid flow rate is considered. Transient analytical solutions for temperature, pore pressure and stress are developed by coupling conductive heat transfer with Darcy fluid flow in a poroelastic medium. They are applicable to low permeability porous media suitable for liquid-waste disposal and also simulating reservoir for enhanced oil recovery, where conduction dominates the heat transfer process. A full range of solutions is presented showing separately the effects of temperature and fluid flow on pore pressure and stress development. It is shown that injection of warm fluid can be used to restrict fracture development around wellbores and cavities and generally to optimize a fluid injection operation. Both the limitations of the solutions and the convective flow effect are addressed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The strong diachronous Muschelkalk/Keuper facies shift in the Central European Basin: implications from the type-section of the Erfurt Formation (Lower Keuper, Triassic) and basin-wide correlations

The transition from the shallow marine Upper Muschelkalk Sea to the Lower Keuper fluvial plain represents the most diachronous facies shift of the entire Germanic Triassic. The type-section of the fluvial Lower Keuper (Erfurt Formation) is described in detail for the first time including biostratigraphic dating of the Muschelkalk/Keuper boundary. The type-section is integrated into a NNE-SSW cross section through the Central European Basin, and the Muschelkalk/Keuper facies shift is constrained by high-resolution conodont and ceratite biostratigraphy. Thus, the fundamental changes in palaeogeography, shifts of facies belts and stratal pattern architecture are visualised. Forced by a rapid transgression from Tethyan waters, the shallow marine Upper Muschelkalk Sea attained its maximum flooding in the lower conodont zone 2 (sequens/pulcher to philippi/robustus zones). Subsequent slow continuous regression to the South was accompanied by step-by-step progradation of coastal to fluvial plain environments of the Lower Keuper, culminating in a fluvial plain extending to South Germany. Based on stratal patterns, an improved sequence-stratigraphic interpretation for the Upper Muschelkalk/Lower Keuper interval is suggested. In combination with biostratigraphic arguments, the new sequence-stratigraphy points to a revised correlation of this interval within the Tethyan Triassic, incorporating the positions of the Anisian/Ladinian and Fassanian/Longobardian boundaries.