For geothermal exploration and production (EGS) knowlegde of
 the thermo-mechanical
signature of the lithosphere and crust is important to
obtain critical constraints
for the crustal stress field and basement temperatures.  The
stress and temperature
field in Europe is subject to strong spatial variations
which can be linked to
Polyphase extensional and compressional reactivation of the
lithosphere, in 
different modes of  deformation.
The development of innovative combinations of numerical and
analogue modeling
techniques is key to thoroughly understand the spatial and
temporal variations in
crustal stress and temperature. In this paper we present an
overview of our
advancement developing and applying analogue and numerical
thermo-mechanical models
to quantitatively asses  the interplay of lithosphere
dynamics and basin (de)formation. 
Field studies of kinematic indicators and numerical modeling
of present-day and
paleo-stress fields in selected areas have yielded new
constraints on the causes and
the expression of intraplate stress fields in the
lithosphere, driving basin
(de)formation. 
The actual basin response to intraplate stress is  strongly
affected by the
rheological structure of the underlying lithosphere, the
basin geometry, fault
dynamics  and interplay with surface processes. Integrated
basin studies show that
rheological layering and strength of the lithosphere plays
an important  role in  the
spatial and temporal distribution of stress-induced vertical
motions, varying from
subtle faulting to basin reactivation and large wavelength
patterns of lithospheric
folding, demonstrating that sedimentary basins are sensitive
recorders to the
intraplate stress field. The long lasting memory of the
lithosphere, in terms of
lithospheric scale weak zones, appears to  play a far more
important role in basin
formation and reactivation than hitherto assumed. A better
understanding of the 3-D
linkage between basin formation and basin reactivation is,
therefore, an essential
step in research that aims at linking lithospheric forcing
and upper mantle dynamics
to crustal vertical motions and stress, and their effect on
sedimentary systems and
heat flow.
Vertical motions in basins can become strongly  enhanced,
through coupled processes
of surface erosion/sedimentation and lower crustal flow.
Furthermore patterns of
active thermal attenuation by mantle plumes can cause a
significant spatial and modal
redistribution of intraplate deformation and stress, as a
result of changing patterns
in lithospheric strength and rheological layering.
Novel insights from numerical and analogue modeling aid in
quantitative assessment of
basin and basement histories  and shed new light on tectonic
interpretation,
providing helpful constraints for geothermal exploration and
production, including
understanding and predicting crustal stress and basin and
basement heat flow.

Telegrafenberg
14473 Potsdam