Compaction of basin sediments: Modeling based on time-temperature history

Porosity decrease of sandstones, carbonates, and shales during burial is modeled here in terms of time-temperature exposure rather than in terms of depth. Loss of porosity (ϕ) in the subsurface is represented by a power function, ϕ = A(M)^B, where A and B are constants and M is a measure of integrated time-temperature history. Regression lines of carbonate and sandstone porosity upon Lopatin's time-temperature index of thermal maturity (TTI) generally fall within a rather narrow envelope whose axis is approximated by ϕ = 30(TTI)^−0.33. This equation is useful for regional modeling of carbonate and sandstone compaction. Dependence of porosity upon integrated time-temperature history implies that basin sediments are not in equilibrium but compact through geologic time. Calculations show that subsidence resulting from the loss of porosity with increasing time-temperature exposure (as opposed to deeper burial) can produce a second-stage, passively formed basin containing many hundreds of meters of sediments.