**2. Methods**

Our study investigates the relative e ffect faulting, di fferent physical properties and choice of restoration method have on the resulting thermal and maturation history in structurally complex sedimentary basins intruded by sills. A simple, synthetic profile containing one listric fault and a number of horizons, including syn- and post-rift deposits, is used as the basis for this study (Figure 1). Throughout the simulations, one parameter is changed at a time which allows for evaluating the impact each parameter has on the modeling results. Table 1 shows the di fferent modeling sets, the tested parameter values and default values of non-changing parameters. Shale and sandstone are the applied lithologies as these are common in sedimentary basins worldwide.



Set 6 Restoration method

◦ ant. inc. shear ◦ ant. inc. shear ◦ ant. inc. shear ◦ synth. inc. shear

1200 m 10 kyr Original All shale 47 mW·m−2 X

**Figure 1.** The synthetic profile with one active, listric fault used in the modeling. The green color (in this case) represents shale lithology. White squares indicate the blow-up area of following figures.
