− | The chemistry of organic matter contained within a sedimentary rock changes over time, reflecting its temperature and burial history. This change or maturation is measured and can be combined with quality and richness data to gauge the amount of hydrocarbon generated by the organic matter. The present-day maturity level is the product of a number of variables, such as [[tectonic setting]], burial history, and thermal history. A number of variables such as paleolatitude, pressure, fluid flow, rock matrix chemistry, and pore fluid chemistry can affect the thermal history and thus a rock's rate of maturation. | + | The chemistry of organic matter contained within a sedimentary rock changes over time, reflecting its [[Thermal history|thermal]] and [[burial history]]. This change or maturation is measured and can be combined with quality and richness data to gauge the amount of hydrocarbon generated by the organic matter. The present-day maturity level is the product of a number of variables, such as [[tectonic setting]], [[burial history]], and [[thermal history]]. A number of variables such as [[paleolatitude]], pressure, [[Wikipedia:Fluid dynamics|fluid flow]], rock matrix chemistry, and [[Petroleum reservoir fluid properties|pore fluid chemistry]] can affect the thermal history and thus a rock's rate of maturation. |