Palaeogeographic Maps of Northern Australian Plate Margins with Updated Tectonic Models

A variety of alternative reconstructions are considered for the northern margins of the Australian plate. The palaeogeographic maps are updated to incorporate new plate models, dividing the tectonostratigraphic evolution into several phases from the Carboniferous to the Holocene. The dataset is provided by the Australian Ocean Data Network and was last updated on 2026-04-10.

Use Cases

• Model plate tectonic reconstructions based on described alternative configurations for microplates.
• Analyze sedimentation patterns (e.g., deltaic, glacial, carbonate) across described geological phases.
• Study the tectonic evolution of the Greater Birds Head and proto-Banda Sea based on the described rotation and fragmentation history.
• Investigate rift basin formation and thermal subsidence events described for the NW Australian margin.

Strengths

• Description details a multi-phase tectonic evolution spanning from the Carboniferous to the Holocene.
• Maps incorporate updated plate models, including Hall's (2002) configuration.
• The dataset is hosted by the authoritative Australian Ocean Data Network.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The authors note many tectonic models are difficult to substantiate with current data, indicating uncertainty.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Likely contains synthesized geological and geophysical data for map creation.

Time Range

Covers geological phases from the Carboniferous to the Holocene.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 19:54:49.944055; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Focuses on the northern margins of the Australian plate, from Timor to the Kai Islands and into Southeast Asia.