Detecting thermal anomalies within the Molasse Basin, southern Germany

The groundwater flow regime at great depth within the Molasse Basin (SW Germany) was studied. Data relevant for a flow model at 600–1,600 m depth are sparse in the western part of the basin. However, temperature measurements are available covering much of the area at a wide range of depths. Therefore, a thermal 3D steady-state model was set up with the aim of comparing modeled with observed subsurface temperatures. Stratigraphic information from many boreholes was also available, but only a few values of rock thermal conductivity and heat-production rate could be obtained. Some strong thermal residual anomalies were identified with respect to the purely conductive model, especially along fault zones, and within stratigraphic layers with high hydraulic conductivity. These anomalies can be explained by various advective heat-transport mechanisms, yet most explanations can be eliminated. The most plausible constellation explaining the major positive thermal anomalies of 10 Kelvin and more is a fault zone of E–W strike, intersected by an aquifer with flow parallel to the fault zone. This concept was investigated by using a simplified type model. In spite of some shortcomings, the method presented here can be used to identify temperature anomalies, and to identify possible explanations.     

Shallow high-resolution seismics and reprocessing of industry profiles in southern Bavaria: The Molasse and the northern Alpine front

The purpose of this seismic investigation in the Upper Bavarian Miesbach area, as part of the international TRANSALP project, was to study the tectonic contact between the autochthonous Foreland Molasse and the allochthonous Folded Molasse marking the tectonic front of the Alpine orogen. Another specific target was the dip of the frontal emerging main thrust of the tectonic units Helveticum/Ultrahelveticum and Rhenodanubian Flysch overriding the Folded Molasse. Twelve seismic profiles obtained from the hydrocarbon industry were reprocessed. From the Foreland Molasse southward to the Autochthonous Molasse in the subsurface of the overthrust Folded Molasse conspicuous features such as steep normal faults at the Molasse base, S-directed thickening of Molasse sediments or sedimentary discordant base of Upper Marine Molasse can be recognized.Shallow high-resolution seismic measurements were conducted along two profiles across the tectonic contact between Foreland Molasse and Folded Molasse, as well as along a profile across the frontal emerging main thrust of the Helveticum/Ultrahelveticum and the Rhenodanubian Flysch. Geological structures could be identified in the top 300–500 ms two-way traveltime interval, which is hardly possible with the usual deep-seismic method. The method thus provides a bridge between deep-reflection seismics and surface geology.In contrast to the western Bavarian Molasse zone, the tectonic boundary between the Foreland Molasse and the Folded Molasse in the investigated area is not characterized by a large blind-thrust triangle zone but by a simple south-dipping thrust plane. Adjacent to the S follow several steeply south-dipping inverse Molasse thrust slices and the Miesbach syncline. The inverse thrust slices are interpreted as the overturned and sheared northern limb of a fault propagation fold, which linked the Folded Molasse to the Foreland Molasse during a final orogenic phase.The main thrust of the Helveticum/Ultrahelveticum and the Rhenodanubian Flysch are well imaged in the near-surface interval of the high-resolution reflection seismic data. In contrast to previously published results, these thrust planes show a gentle dip to the S from the surface down to at least 500–1000 m depth.     

Oil seepage and carbonate formation: A case study from the southern Gulf of Mexico

Oil seeps from the southern Gulf of Mexico can be regarded as natural laboratories where the effect of crude oil seepage on chemosynthesis‐based communities and carbonate precipitation can be studied. During R/V Meteor cruise 114 the seep sites UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) Ridge, Mictlan Knoll and Tsanyao Yang Knoll (Bay of Campeche, southern Gulf of Mexico) were investigated and sampled for authigenic carbonate deposits containing large amounts of liquid oil and solid asphalt. The δ¹³C values of individual carbonate phases including: (i) microcrystalline matrix aragonite and calcite; (ii) grey, cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline aragonite; and (iii) clear, fibrous aragonite cement, are between ?30‰ and ?20‰, agreeing with oil as the primary carbon source. Raman spectra reveal that residual heavy oils from all sites are immature and most likely originate from the same reservoir. Geochemical batch modelling using the software code PHREEQC demonstrates how sulphate‐driven oxidation of oil‐derived low‐molecular to high‐molecular weight hydrocarbons affects carbonate saturation state, and shows that the oxidation state of carbon in hydrocarbon compounds and oxidation rates of hydrocarbons control carbonate saturation and precipitation at oil seeps. Phase‐specific trace and rare earth element contents of microcrystalline aragonite and calcite, grey cryptocrystalline aragonite and clear aragonite were determined, revealing enrichment in light rare earth elements for grey aragonite. By comparing trace element patterns of carbonates with those of associated oils, it becomes apparent that liquid hydrocarbons constitute an additional source of trace metals to sedimentary pore waters. This work not only demonstrates that the microbial degradation of oil at seeps may result in the precipitation of carbonate minerals, it also elucidates that trace metal inventories of seep carbonates archive diagnostic elemental patterns, which can be assigned to the presence of heavy hydrocarbons in interstitial pore waters.     

Constraints on Variscan granite emplacement in north-east Bavaria,Germany: further clues from a petrogenetic study of the Mitterteich granite

Petrochemical and Rb-Sr, K-Ar and Sm-Nd isotopic data presented for the Mitterteich granite provide information on whole rock and mineral compositional characteristics, intrusion and cooling history, and protolith nature and put further constraints on the Variscan magmatic evolution in north-east Bavaria.The compositional characteristics classify the Mitterteich granite as a peraluminous (monzo-)granite (SiO₂ 67.3–73.5 wt.% ). Values for K₂O/Na₂O (> 1.2 and Al₂O₃/(CaO + N₂O + K₂O) (>1.1) are in the range of S-type granites. The rare earth elements show fractionated chondrite-normalized patterns (La _N /Yb _N =24–19) with negative Eu anomalies (Eu _N /Eu _N ^*=0.35–0.19). The micas have restricted ranges of major element composition, but reveal notable variations in trace element concentrations. Different biotite fractions of single specimens show a trend to lower concentrations of compatible elements in the finer fraction which can be explained as a result of asynchronous growth during the fractionation process. The PT conditions of crystallization of the magma based on muscovite and biotite is 600–640°C at 3 kbar. Regression of the whole rock samples gives an isochron corresponding to a ⁸⁷Rb-⁸⁷Sr age of 310 ± 7 Ma, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.7104±0.0010 (2 errors) and MSWD =0.03. Muscovite and biotite yield concordant K-Ar ages between 310 and 308 Ma, indicating a fast cooling rate of the granite intrusion. _{Nd T310}values average –4.2±1.0. Nd model ages of 1.4 Ga suggest a source region of mid-Proterozoic age.The Rb-Sr isochron age and initial Sr ratio of the Mitterteich granite are indistinguishable from those of the adjacent Falkenberg granite, establishing a genetic link. However, the K-Ar mica ages suggest that the Mitterteich granite must have undergone a faster uplift or cooling history than Falkenberg. Confronted with the geochronological record of granite emplacement in north-east Bavaria, the new results substantiate the view of three key periods of magmatic activity around 330–325, 315–305 and 290 Ma.     

碳酸盐岩台内滩储层沉积特征、分布规律及主控因素研究:以阿姆河盆地台内滩气田为例

近年来,台内滩成为碳酸盐岩油气勘探的重点领域,并取得了一系列重大进展。本文以阿姆河盆地右岸地区中上侏罗统碳酸盐岩台内滩气田为例,在地震、测井、录井、岩心、薄片及分析化验等资料详细研究的基础上,对台内滩类型、沉积特征及储层特征进行了分析,并重点研究了影响台内滩储层发育及分布的控制因素。结果表明:(1)研究区台内滩主要包括生屑滩、内碎屑滩、球粒滩、藻粒滩和鲕粒滩等5种类型。(2)剩余原生粒间孔,次生的粒间、粒内溶孔及溶蚀孔洞为主要储集空间,形成以孔隙型和孔洞型为主的两类台内滩储层。(3)储层发育及分布明显受古地貌、相对海平面变化及溶蚀作用等多种因素控制:(1)古地貌是台内滩发育的重要基础,在基底古隆起发育的古地貌高部位滩体连片分布,形成规模型台内滩储集体;(2)相对海平面变化对台内滩储层的发育层位及滩体类型具有重要的控制作用,台内滩储层主要发育于高位域准层序组中上部,由下至上呈现出厚度增大、物性变好等特征,海平面高频震荡导致台内滩垂向上多期叠置;(3)包括同生期淡水淋滤及埋藏期溶蚀等多期次、多类型溶蚀作用是台内滩储层形成的关键,次生溶蚀孔隙、孔洞成为台内滩重要的储集空间,最终形成优质的孔隙(洞)型台内滩储层。     

海相页岩缝网可压性靶窗空间分布预测——以川南长宁区块为例

靶窗的确定对海相页岩气储层增产改造具有重要意义。以川南长宁地区龙马溪组海相页岩气储层为研究对象,开展氩离子抛光扫描电镜、巴西圆盘实验和压裂施工统计,分析矿物颗粒粒径和断裂韧性、地应力对裂缝在水力压裂时能否快速穿透、稳定扩展、充分转向等方面的影响。针对现有方法未充分考虑储层压裂品质的情况,简化计算流程,分别采用声波、密度、伽马和矿物含量等建立脆延性指标,采用优化后的应力与应力差耦合模型建立应力差异指标,形成基于储层缝网可压性理论、根据测井解释曲线形态判别的靶窗预测方法。研究结果表明,脆延性指标和应力差异指标曲线呈现叠合度较高的Ⅰ类双"波谷"的层位最有利于开发,其次为Ⅱ类连续交错叠置的层位,最后为Ⅲ类不连续交错的层位。对长宁地区评价井、建产井的验证与实践表明,靶窗对应的指标多呈现双"波谷"形态,但靶窗对应的层位具有差异,区内自西向东靶窗呈现1小层—2小层—1小层的演化趋势。实现不同井区差异化靶窗的高钻遇率对单井获得较大储层改造规模、较高的测试产量和稳定的累计产量具有重要的控制作用。      

藏北羌塘盆地羌资5井二叠系碳酸盐岩储层特征及影响因素

羌资5井位于藏北羌塘盆地,该井钻遇二叠系龙格组及展金组。储层主要是龙格组及展金组中的碳酸盐岩,其主要岩性是微晶灰岩、粒屑灰岩、生物屑灰岩、角砾灰岩以及粉/细晶白云岩。储集空间主要为孔隙,另发育裂缝。孔隙可分为粒间孔、粒间溶孔、粒内溶孔、晶间孔及晶间溶孔、沿缝合线发育的溶孔;裂缝可分为构造缝、压溶缝和溶蚀缝。物性数据显示,孔隙度变化范围在0.3%~2.3%,平均值为1.31%;渗透率变化范围在(0.0034~0.0062)×10^-3μm²,平均值为0.0044×10^-3μm²,储层评价为差。影响碳酸盐岩储集物性的因素主要是成岩作用和构造作用。有利成岩作用主要是压溶作用、溶蚀作用、白云石化作用;不利的影响因素是压实作用、胶结作用、重结晶作用、硅化作用等。     

Hyperspectral logging of middle Cambrian marine sediments with hydrocarbon prospectivity: a case study from the southern Georgina Basin,northern Australia

The Georgina Basin is a Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic basin that spans parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland in northern Australia. The basin is prospective for petroleum, phosphate and base metals (copper, lead and zinc). The Dulcie and Toko synclines in the southern part of the basin are prospective for petroleum, where a thick Cambro-Ordovician succession of marine carbonates hosts several source rocks and associated oil and gas shows. The key source rock units occur within the middle Cambrian Narpa Group, including both the Thorntonia Limestone (Series 2 and 3) and the Arthur Creek Formation (Series 3). The base of the Arthur Creek Formation is characterised by organic-rich ‘hot’ shales (associated with a prominent gamma spike in well logs) that have been targeted by petroleum explorers for both conventional and unconventional oil and gas. For this study, hyperspectral logging data collected by HyLogger? instruments were evaluated from 13 wells in the southern Georgina Basin, including petroleum, mineral and stratigraphic wells. Formation boundaries are commonly (but not always) characterised by distinctive changes in mineralogy, as determined by spectral and X-ray diffraction data. Key source rock units in the southern Georgina Basin were characterised and mapped in terms of their mineralogy, and other spectral properties (e.g. Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) reflectance and spectral contrast). Interpretation of the hyperspectral data alongside wireline log data supports the differentiation of two successions within the Arthur Creek Formation that are each characterised by basal organic-rich shales, previously distinguished on the basis of biostratigraphic and well-log data. The older succession in the Dulcie Syncline is spectrally characterised as being quartz and carbonate dominated. The younger succession, distributed across the eastern part of the Dulcie Syncline and fully across the Toko Syncline, is spectrally characterised as quartz and carbonate dominated, with variable white-mica contributions. Key associations are observed between the HyLogger mineralogy and geophysical-log data. Peaks in the gamma log intensity in the middle Cambrian sediments commonly correspond to elevated measured total organic carbon contents, decreased carbonate contribution, SWIR reflectance and spectral contrast, and relatively increased proportions of white micas and quartz. This study demonstrates that HyLogging data can provide an improved understanding of the sedimentological, mineralogical and diagenetic characteristics, as well as associated spatial heterogeneity, of prospective hydrocarbon formations in sedimentary basins.     

克拉通盆地差异性构造活动对碳酸盐岩储集体的控制——以鄂尔多斯盆地马家沟组盐下储层为例

中国海相碳酸盐岩往往具有发育时期较老、埋藏较深、后期成岩作用改造较强等特点,致使对其优质碳酸盐岩储层及其主控因素的研究仍存在较大的进步空间.鄂尔多斯盆地马家沟组沉积时期,盆地由拉张动力背景向南北向挤压动力背景转换,从而诱发了一系列的构造活动.为了探讨不同构造活动对马家沟期马五段盐下沉积的影响,文章在前人研究基础上,以碳...     

Water leakage from the power tunnel of Gezende Dam,southern Turkey: a case study

This study covers the investigations of the reasons of deformations and leakages in the energy tunnels of Gezende Dam constructed in 1990 for hydroelectric energy and the recommendations for treatments of the problems. Gezende Dam is located 30 km southwest of Mut county/Mersin in southern Turkey. The dam is concrete arch type with a height of 72 m. The energy tunnel with an approximate length of 9 km passes through six different geological units in age of Mesozoic to Cenozoic. After a short period of time of the operation of the tunnel, leakage has started from the section of gypsum, which is intercalated with dolomitic limestone between chainage from 5,970 to 6,840 m. The deformations have occurred in the concrete tunnel and springs have been detected at different places and times through the Ermenek Canyon since 1996. The preventive precautions of the water effect caused by groundwater effect on gypsum are as follows: (1) contact and consolidation grouting in the tunnel between chainage from 5,910 to 6,840 m, (2) removal of damage on the tunnel line, (3) reinforcement of the tunnel again, and (4) application of new concrete lining. Besides, a drainage gallery of 320 m was excavated in the 23 m lower and 15 m left part of tunnel base elevation in order to diminish the effect of groundwater in the section where the deformation occurred.     

Nitric oxide emissions from soils: a case study with temperate soils from Saxony, Germany

Nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) are involved in acid rain and ozone formation, as well as destruction. NO _x are climate-relevant trace gases in the atmosphere. Atmospheric NO _x originate from anthropogenic emissions (mainly combustion processes). NO from natural processes derives from thunderstorms and soil microbial processes. They may play a crucial role in soil?Catmosphere feedback processes. This study aims to investigate NO _x -emissions from soils under different land use, geographical and meteorological conditions. NO _x -emissions were quantified in both field and laboratory experiments with a closed static chamber. Disturbed soil samples have been used for laboratory experiments. A climate chamber was used to regulate soil temperature of the samples. Field experiments showed that NO-soil emissions strongly depend on soil temperature. NO-emissions from a soil under meadow showed significant daily variations, unlike soil below spruce forest. Peak emission values were 18???g NO?CN?m^?2?h^?1 above meadow and 1.3???g NO?CN?m^?2?h^?1 under forest canopy. In addition, NO-emissions of meadow and forest soil were studied in a climate chamber, enhanced by an additional experiment with agricultural soil. These experiments revealed strong exponential correlations of NO-emissions and soil temperature. Maximum values reached above 400???g NO?CN?m^?2?h^?1 from agricultural soils at soil temperatures above 50°C. This study shows that soil NO-emissions strongly depend on temperature, vegetation type and geographical position. Consequently, NO-emissions may have a positive feedback effect on climate change.     

塔里木盆地天山南缘区带古近系苏维依组沉积储层研究

根据钻井、测井与分析测试等资料,研究了塔里木盆地天山南缘区块北带苏维依组的沉积相带和储层特征。苏维依组分为下部底砂岩段和上部的膏泥岩段,在研究区主要发育辫状河三角洲和湖泊沉积体系。本区储层多为粉砂岩、细砂岩、中砂岩和含砾砂岩,主要岩石类型为长石石英砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩。孔隙类型主要是原生粒间孔、溶蚀孔,还有裂缝和微孔隙等。底砂岩段储层物性较好,总体属于中孔-中、低渗储层,非均质性较强,其中以三角洲前缘的分流河道和席状砂微相砂体物性最好。影响研究区储层物性的主要因素有沉积相带、成岩作用等,压实作用、溶蚀作用和胶结作用是对储层物性影响最大的成岩作用。     

Flow transformations in slumps: a case study from the Waitemata Basin,New Zealand

The process by which slumps transform into other flow types is an understudied phenomenon; generally, sedimentologists have assumed that this is how many debris flows and turbidity currents form, yet there is a paucity of information relating to the specific processes involved. This paper aims to redress this imbalance and investigates the processes of slump flow transformation using a well‐exposed example, where the precursor slump and flows to which it was transforming have been preserved in the outcrop. A detailed field investigation of the Lower Miocene, Little Manly Slump, located within the Waitemata Basin, New Zealand, reveals a complex bi‐partite deposit, comprised of a lower slump‐debrite unit and an upper turbidite unit, separated from one another by an impersistent contact. Reconstruction of slump evolution, from preserved strain indicators, shows that slump motion was unsteady and non‐uniform, and that the slump arrested rapidly. Flow transformation is directly linked to slump evolution and progressed through the multiple processes of body transformation, fluidization transformation and surface transformation. The resultant flow comprised a very dense lower unit with slump and debris flow phases overlain by a turbidity current. This study shows that flow transformation did not result in en masse transformation to a debris flow by a single process, but rather it was characterized by partial transformation of the slump to generate a three‐phase flow. Density is thought to be the key parameter in controlling flow transformation efficiency, which appears to have varied rapidly as a function of slump unsteadiness and non‐uniformity.     

Elemental characteristics and paleoenvironment reconstruction: a case study of the Triassic lacustrine Zhangjiatan oil shale,southern Ordos Basin,China

Using trace elements to reconstruct paleoenvironment is a current hot topic in geochemistry. Through analytical tests of oil yield, ash yield, calorific value, total sulfur, major elements, trace elements, and X-ray diffraction, the quality, mineral content, occurrence mode of elements, and paleoenvironment of the Zhangjiatan oil shale of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the southern Ordos Basin were studied. The analyses revealed relatively high oil yield (average 6.63%) and medium quality. The mineral content in the oil shale was mainly clay minerals, quartz, feldspar, and pyrite; an illite–smectite mixed layer comprised the major proportion of clay minerals. Compared with marine oil shale in China, the Zhangjiatan oil shale had higher contents of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals, and lower calcite content. Silica was mainly in quartz and Fe was associated with organic matter, which is different from marine oil shale. The form of calcium varied. Cluster analyses indicated that Fe, Cu, U, V, Zn, As, Cs, Cd, Mo, Ga, Pb, Co, Ni, Cr, Sc, P, and Mn are associated with organic matter while Ca, Na, Sr, Ba, Si, Zr, K, Al, B, Mg, and Ti are mostly terrigenous. Sr/Cu, Ba/Al, V/(V + Ni), U/Th, AU, and δU of oil shale samples suggest the paleoclimate was warm and humid, paleoproductivity of the lake was relatively high during deposition of the shale—which mainly occurred in fresh water—and the paleo-redox condition was dominated by reducing conditions. Fe/Ti ratios of the oil shale samples suggest clear hydrothermal influence in the eastern portion of the study area and less conspicuous hydrothermal influence in the western portion.     

碳酸盐岩油气藏的断裂改造作用——以塔里木盆地为例

多旋回盆地油气藏形成后多经历复杂的构造改造作用,并对油气的保存与分布具有重要的控制作用。结合塔里木盆地油气藏实例分析,将碳酸盐岩油气藏断裂改造作用划分为断裂切割改造、断裂抬升改造、断裂褶皱改造、断裂再活动改造与断裂成岩封闭改造等5种类型。断裂改造方式主要有圈闭变化、盖层减薄、水力作用、压力变化与成岩变化等,并造成油气逸散与补充、水洗与降解及流体性质的变化等,从而导致碳酸盐岩油气藏与油气分布的复杂性。断裂改造作用研究对多旋回油气盆地勘探开发具有重要借鉴意义。     

碳酸盐岩油气藏的断裂改造作用——以塔里木盆地为例

多旋回盆地油气藏形成后多经历复杂的构造改造作用,并对油气的保存与分布具有重要的控制作用。结合塔里木盆地油气藏实例分析,将碳酸盐岩油气藏断裂改造作用划分为断裂切割改造、断裂抬升改造、断裂褶皱改造、断裂再活动改造与断裂成岩封闭改造等5种类型。断裂改造方式主要有圈闭变化、盖层减薄、水力作用、压力变化与成岩变化等,并造成油气逸散与补充、水洗与降解及流体性质的变化等,从而导致碳酸盐岩油气藏与油气分布的复杂性。断裂改造作用研究对多旋回油气盆地勘探开发具有重要借鉴意义。     

Microbial primary dolomite from a Norian carbonate platform: northern Calabria, southern Italy

The origin of fine‐grained dolomite in peritidal rocks has been the subject of much debate recently and evidence is presented here for a microbial origin of this dolomite type in the Norian Dolomia Principale of northern Calabria (southern Italy). Microbial carbonates there consist of stromatolites, thrombolites, and aphanitic dolomites. High‐relief thrombolites and stromatolites characterize sub‐tidal facies, and low‐relief and planar stromatolites, with local oncoids, typify the inter‐supratidal facies. Skeletal remains are very rare in the latter, whereas a relatively rich biota of skeletal cyanophycea, red algae and foraminifera is present in the sub‐tidal facies. Some 75% of the succession consists of fabric‐preserving dolomite, especially within the microbial facies, whereas the rest is composed of coarse dolomite with little fabric preservation. Three end‐members of dolomite replacement fabric are distinguished: type 1 and type 2, fabric retentive, with crystal size <5 and 5–60 μm, respectively; and type 3, fabric destructive, with larger crystals, from 60 to several hundred microns. In addition, there are dolomite cements, precipitated in the central parts of primary cavities during later diagenesis. Microbialite textures in stromatolites are generally composed of thin, dark micritic laminae of type 1 dolomite, alternating with thicker lighter‐coloured laminae of the coarser type 2 dolomite. Thrombolites are composed of dark, micritic clotted fabrics with peloids, composed of type 1 dolomite, surrounded by coarser type 2 dolomite. Marine fibrous cement crusts are also present, now composed of type 2 dolomite. Scanning electron microscope observations of the organic‐rich micritic laminae and clots of the inter‐supratidal microbialites reveal the presence of spherical structures which are interpreted as mineralized bacterial remains. These probably derived from the fossilization of micron‐sized coccoid bacteria and spheroidal–ovoidal nanometre‐scale dwarf‐type bacterial forms. Furthermore, there are traces of degraded organic matter, probably also of bacterial origin. The microbial dolomites were precipitated in a hypersaline environment, most likely through evaporative dolomitization, as suggested by the excess Ca in the dolomites, the small crystal size, and the positive δ¹⁸O values. The occurrence of fossilized bacteria and organic matter in the fabric‐preserving dolomite of the microbialites could indicate an involvement of bacteria and organic matter degradation in the precipitation of syn‐sedimentary dolomite.     

Sealing of fluid pathways in overpressure cells: a case study from the Buntsandstein in the Lower Saxony Basin (NW Germany)

We studied veins in the Triassic Buntsandstein of the Lower Saxony Basin (NW Germany) with the aim of quantifying the evolution of in-situ stress, fluids and material transport. Different generations of veins are observed. The first generation formed in weakly consolidated rocks without a significant increase in fracture permeability and was filled syntectonically with fibrous calcite and blocky to elongate-blocky quartz. The stable isotopic signature (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) indicates that the calcite veins precipitated from connate water at temperatures of 55–122°C. The second vein generation was syntectonically filled with blocky anhydrite, which grew in open fractures. Fluid inclusions indicate that the anhydrite veins precipitated at a minimum temperature of 150°C from hypersaline brines. Based on δ³⁴S measurements, the source of the sulphate was found in the underlying Zechstein evaporites. The macro- and microstructures indicate that all veins were formed during subsidence and that the anhydrite veins were formed under conditions of overpressure, generated by inflation rather than non-equilibrium compaction. The large amount of fluids which are formed by the dehydrating gypsum in the underlying Zechstein and are released into the Buntsandstein during progressive burial form a likely source of overpressures and the anhydrite forming fluids.