New palaeogeographic synthesis of the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland

Abstract

INTRODUCTION At the previous two Bowen Basin Symposia, we have presented compilations of palaeogeographic maps (Fielding et al., 1990a, 1995). These articles, and the maps therein, summarised the Permian-Triassic evolution of the Bowen Basin, based on the understanding of the time. Significant progress has been made in this area in the past five years, and in this paper we present a time-space relationship diagram (Fig. 1) together with an expanded series of newly modified palaeogeographic maps (Fig. 2) for the Bowen Basin and terrains to the east and west. In addition to further defining the original extent of the Bowen Basin, this analysis provides new insights into the relationships between Permian-Triassic tectonic events and stratigraphy. In addition to the literature cited in our previous Bowen Basin Symposia papers, the results on which the new maps are based (including extensive compilations of palaeocurrent data) have been published in a series of articles over the past five years, notably Fielding et al. (1996, 1997a, b), Pattison et al. (1996), Faraj et al. (1996), Kassan & Fielding (1996a, b), Holcombe et al. (1997a, b) and Allen et al. (1998). As per our discussion in Fielding et al. (1995), we shall restrict the term Bowen Basin to the named structural feature, and use the term basin in reference to the original depositional entity, which we believe is considerably more extensive. The reader is referred to discussions of definition and stratigraphic relationships in Fielding et al. (1995, 1997a) for further information.