FISSION-TRACK THERMOCHRONOLOGY OF SEDIMENTARY BASINS.

Abstract

Fission-track analysis of detrital apatites is particularly important because of a substantial overlap between the apatite track annealing zone and the critical temperature interval for maximum generation of liquid hydrocarbons. Apatites associated with suitable source rocks thus contain a record of their heating in the oil generation window. We have found that five different fission track parameters are essential in examining the thermochronology of a well sequence: 1. The amount by which each FT age has been reduced. 2. The shape of the apatite age profile with depth in the well. 3. The distribution of a single grain ages in each sample. 4. The reduction in mean track length shown in each ..