If one accepts that discrete thermal events are responsible for the known hydrocarbon accumulations in northeastern Nevada, the association of specific current and past geothermal gradients with hydrocarbon generation becomes very important. A detailed understanding of the extent of thermal events capable of generating hydrocarbons versus those which are incapable of generating hydrocarbons or are destructive of existing deposits, becomes critical for isolating prospective areas.

This section discusses both bottomhole thermal data that reflect the modern thermal gradient(s), and the microcline paleothermal data which determine the chronology of past thermal events capable of hydrocarbon generation within the evaluation area. The modern gradients determined for given areas provide a starting point for thermal reconstructions. When combined with detailed depositional history and thickness, and the results of microcline paleothermometry, a geohistory reconstruction can be undertaken.