Validation of tectonic reconstructions by crustal volume balance: New Zealand through the Cenozoic

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2007 Validation of tectonic reconstructions by crustal volume balance: New Zealand through the Cenozoic R.A. Wood; R.A. Wood 1Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar V.M. Stagpoole V.M. Stagpoole 1Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information R.A. Wood 1Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand V.M. Stagpoole 1Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 12 Apr 2006 Revision Received: 17 Dec 2006 Accepted: 07 Feb 2007 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2007) 119 (7-8): 933–943. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26018.1 Article history Received: 12 Apr 2006 Revision Received: 17 Dec 2006 Accepted: 07 Feb 2007 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation R.A. Wood, V.M. Stagpoole; Validation of tectonic reconstructions by crustal volume balance: New Zealand through the Cenozoic. GSA Bulletin 2007;; 119 (7-8): 933–943. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26018.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract We describe a procedure that allows us to quantitatively test hypotheses about the tectonic evolution of a region, including areas for which there is little or no geologic record, and apply it to the Pacific-Australian plate boundary in the New Zealand region since 65 Ma. The derived models are a first attempt to quantify the effects of the development of the modern plate boundary on four major components of the tectonic evolution of New Zealand, i.e., sedimentation, paleogeography, growth of crustal root, and nonrigid deformation. The technique balances total rock volume through time using estimates of these factors. Although the solutions are non-unique, the uncertainties in each factor can be estimated and used to define the models. The plate reconstructions we present are minor modifications of earlier work, developed to test whether those proposed reconstructions are self-consistent and consistent with present-day crustal structure and sediment distribution. They are digital and geographically referenced, and they have the advantage that new data can be readily incorporated and new concepts tested against several criteria. The model of the evolution of New Zealand's crustal root is new and incorporates a previously unpublished compilation.The models show that rock redistribution is accounted for by erosion and sedimentation during the period 65–25 Ma. The Pacific-Australian plate boundary began propagating through New Zealand ca. 45 Ma. In these models, development of the boundary has no effect on nonrigid deformation until ca. 25 Ma. That time marked the start of a significant increase in land area, and of the nonrigid deformation of a large region in the center of the New Zealand continent. Since ca. 20 Ma, ∼575,000 km3 of sediments were deposited in basins around New Zealand, and a crustal root with a volume of ∼2,200,000 km3 is interpreted to have developed beneath the landmass. A large area in the center of Late Cretaceous and Tertiary reconstructions of the New Zealand region, inferred from outcrop, well, and seismic reflection data, deformed, eroded, and was eventually amalgamated within the continental crust of New Zealand, a redistribution of ∼3,080,000 km3 of rock (at 0% porosity). You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.