Phanerozoic polepath loops, and their correlation with basin development and resource accumulation

Abstract

Five major loops are apparent on the Phanerozoic Australian apparent polar-wander path (polepath). They coincide with the initiation of major basin systems, indicating that a consistent and simple relationship unifies these events. Polepath loops reflect interplate movement reversals, which activate intraplate deformation and basin development. The polepath provides the only verifiable insight into Australian plate dynamics before seafloor spreading. Its potential to detail the evolution of stress patterns and fluid-flow pathways, and thereby resource accumulation, can be realised by further detailing the loops. Show more