Tectonic controls on carbonate platform evolution in southern Papua New Guinea: Passive margin to foreland basin

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1989 Tectonic controls on carbonate platform evolution in southern Papua New Guinea: Passive margin to foreland basin C. J. Pigram; C. J. Pigram 1Division of Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, ACT, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. J. Davies; P. J. Davies 1Division of Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, ACT, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. A. Feary; D. A. Feary 1Division of Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, ACT, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. A. Symonds P. A. Symonds 1Division of Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, ACT, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1989) 17 (3): 199–202. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0199:TCOCPE>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation C. J. Pigram, P. J. Davies, D. A. Feary, P. A. Symonds; Tectonic controls on carbonate platform evolution in southern Papua New Guinea: Passive margin to foreland basin. Geology 1989;; 17 (3): 199–202. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0199:TCOCPE>2.3.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The middle Oligocene collision of the northern margin of the Australian craton with a complex subduction system resulted in emplacement of a thrust mass and formation of a foreland basin that extended from the Coral Sea to the Indian Ocean. The distribution of carbonate-platform facies in southwestern Papua New Guinea reflects the transition from an Eocene passive margin setting to the early stages of foreland basin evolution. The initial basin configuration, with terrigenous sedimentation confined to the proximal foredeep, allowed carbonate deposition in the shallow environment adjacent to the peripheral forebulge. Subsequent southward migration of the basin resulted in a rapid increase in the area and thickness of carbonate-platform deposition. When the proximal foredeep became filled by detritus shed from the emerging orogen, clastic sediments buried the platform and terminated carbonate deposition. The history of the southern Papua New Guinea carbonate platform illustrates the paradox of carbonate deposition within a foreland basin, whereby basin configuration initially encourages thick and extensive carbonate deposition but inevitably leads to terrigenous inundation and the demise of the carbonate platform. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.