Crustal structure and evolution of the central Australian basins.

Abstract

The basins of central Australia formed over a period of 600 Ma or more from late Proterozoic to Carboniferous time. These basins appear to overlie crust of normal thickness whereas the crust of the intervening arches has been uplifted and reduced in thickness. The Moho, in consequence, varies in depth by up to + or -10 km about its mean depth, over horizontal distances of 50 km or less. The stresses associated with this lower crustal structure are of the order of a few kbars and extend throughout the crust. Horizontal compressive forces have played the key role in shaping the basins and crustal structure. The horizontal compression must act down to at least the Moho and must characterize the dominant state of stress since late Proterozoic time. -from Author Show more