Southern McArthur Basin Stratigraphy and Structure

Stratigraphic and structural analysis of the southern McArthur Basin in Australia's Northern Territory. The Australian Ocean Data Network published this geological bulletin describing four major stratigraphic groups with thicknesses up to 4500 meters. The report details rock formations, depositional environments, and structural features like the Batten Fault Zone.

Use Cases

• Classify depositional environments (e.g., peritidal, lacustrine) using described lithologies like evaporitic dolostones and quartz sandstones.
• Model basin structure and sediment thickness distribution using data on the Batten Fault Zone half-graben and shelf areas.
• Correlate stratigraphic sequences using described unconformities and the U-Pb age of 1690±25 Ma from tuffs in the McArthur Group.
• Analyze paleoclimate indicators from features like evaporite pseudomorphs and desiccation cracks within the described formations.
• Study copper mineralization potential by examining the relationship between potassium-rich felsic igneous rocks and copper-bearing breccia pipes at Redbank.

Strengths

• Detailed stratigraphic division into four groups (Tawallah, McArthur, Nathan, Roper) with reported thicknesses up to 5500 meters.
• Includes specific geochronological data, such as a U-Pb age of 1690±25 Ma for tuffs within the McArthur Group.
• Provides structural context with quantified estimates of sedimentary rock thickness (up to ~12 km in the Batten Trough horst, ~4 km on shelves).

Limitations

• No raw tabular or spatial data files are provided; information is contained within descriptive PDF/HTML documents.
• Sample data and specific measurement columns are unavailable for direct computational analysis.
• Temporal coverage is focused on the mid-Proterozoic era, with limited data on overlying Cambrian and Cretaceous outliers.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, likely originating from Geoscience Australia or related geological survey.

Collection Method

Compilation and interpretation from geological field studies, mapping, and previous research, published as a bulletin.

Time Range

Mid-Proterozoic (e.g., basement ~1800 Ma, McArthur Group tuffs ~1690 Ma, Roper Group >1400 Ma).

Freshness

Publication details are unspecified, but platform metadata indicates a last updated date of 2026-04-04.

Geography

Southern McArthur Basin, Northern Territory, Australia, within the North Australian Craton.