Palaeogeographic Maps of Northern Australian Plate Margins, Updated Models

Geoscience Australia Data provides updated palaeogeographic maps for the northern margins of the Australian plate. The dataset presents alternative tectonic reconstructions and describes the tectonostratigraphic evolution from the Carboniferous to the Holocene. The report, last updated in 2026, acknowledges that many models are difficult to substantiate with current data.

Use Cases

• Modeling plate tectonic evolution based on described reconstructions of microplates like the Greater Birds Head.
• Analyzing sedimentation patterns based on described phases like deltaic clastic sedimentation post-Sakmarian breakup.
• Studying basin formation and subsidence based on described events like Indian Ocean breakup and thermal subsidence.
• Investigating collision and orogeny history based on described events like the New England Orogeny and multiple collisions from the Eocene to Holocene.

Strengths

• Presents multiple alternative tectonic reconstructions for scientific consideration.
• Describes a detailed tectonostratigraphic evolution spanning from the Carboniferous to the Holocene.
• Source is Geoscience Australia Data, a national geological survey.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Plate tectonic modeling and geological synthesis, as described in the report.

Time Range

Carboniferous to Holocene

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-20 02:05:51.774931; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Northern margins of the Australian plate, from Timor to the Kai Islands and proto-Banda Sea.