Slow Seafloor Spreading Patterns Off Southern Australia, 96-44.5 Ma

A compilation of seafloor spreading magnetic data for the entire southern margin of Australia confirms the pattern of slow spreading following continental separation from Antarctica. The dataset, hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network, includes critical data collected during the 1986 R/V Rig Seismic cruise and was last updated in 2026. It details a phase of slow spreading characterized by ridge jumps and variable spreading azimuths, interpreted as a response to confinement between oblique continental margins.

Use Cases

• Modeling the tectonic evolution of the southern Australian margin based on described spreading rates and azimuths.
• Comparing slow spreading systems with other regions like the Gulf of Aden based on the described oblique spreading mechanisms.
• Calibrating plate reconstruction models using the described magnetic anomaly interpretations and timeline.
• Analyzing the relationship between spreading ridge geometry and continental margin shape based on described ridge jumps and segment variations.

Strengths

• Integrates critical data from a specific 1986 research cruise (R/V Rig Seismic), providing a historical baseline.
• Covers the entire southern margin of Australia, offering a regional-scale perspective.
• Describes specific spreading half-rates (<4.4 mm/year, 10 mm/year, 20 mm/year) and azimuths (335°, 360°) over defined time periods.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data freshness should be verified despite the 2026 update timestamp.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au.

Collection Method

Compilation of seafloor spreading magnetic data, including from specific research voyages.

Time Range

Covers from continental breakup (96 Ma) to A20 time (44.5 Ma).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-23 01:11:40.441106.

Geography

Southern margin of Australia, between 129°E and 131.75°E, extending towards Antarctica.