New findings from the Kerguelen Plateau

Abstract

New geophysical data confirm the existence of marked structural and morphological differences between the northern and southern sectors of the Kerguelen Plateau. A major sedimentary basin (Raggatt Basin) covers an area of at least 30 000 km2 on the eastern part of the southern plateau. A deep oceanic basin (Labuan Basin) with extremely rough basement lies adjacent to the southeastern flank of the plateau. We suggest that this may be the former western extension or conjugate feature of the Diamantina zone. Samples of rock obtained by free-fall grabs suggest that the southern Kerguelen Plateau contains continental crust.