Tectonic Subsidence, Crustal Structure and Flexure of the Rifted Continental Margin of North West Australia

The North West passive continental margin of Australia is characterised by a series of petroleum-producing sedimentary basins with up to 20km of sediment thickness. Using a range of geological and geophysical dataseis the tectonic subsidence history, crustal structure and flexure of the margin are investigated. Process-Oriented Gravity Modelling (POGM) constrains the crustal structure and provides information on the nature of the stretched lithosphere. Backstripping supports this research by revealing the timing and magnitude of major phases of tectonic subsidence on the margin. This study finds that the margin has developed in two major rifting events, one of which appears to have caused a permanent weakening of lithosphere.