Tectonic Geomorphology and Geodynamics of Rifting: Goodenough Basin, Papua New Guinea
Abstract
Variations in deformation style are evident along the rift axis of the Woodlark Basin and Papuan Peninsula, where oceanic rifting is propagating westward into a more distributed zone of continental lithospheric extension. The Goodenough Basin lies west of the westernmost segment of the Woodlark oceanic spreading zone. To its north lie the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, metamorphic core complexes rapidly uplifted through the Late Tertiary due to a combination of continental extension and density contrasts within the continental crust. To its south lies the Papuan Peninsula, the southern rift margin, the structural geometry of which has not been characterized previously. Analysis of SRTM digital elevation data together with fieldwork in March 2006 has allowed basic mapping of rift-bounding normal faults, with offset fault segments having lengths of up to 60 km. Geomorphic features such as linear range fronts with faceted spurs, tilted hangingwall surfaces and linear footwall drainage basins typify an immature and active rift margin. Fault traces are however buried beneath rapidly accumulating colluvial soils in this zone of tropical weathering and largely basaltic and gabbroic pre-rift lithologies. Footwall-derived, deltaic coarse clastics are uplifted and exposed in transfer zones between fault segments. These deposits, previously described as tectonically folded, show dip variations that may be explained as low-angle topset fluviatile conglomerates and angle-of-repose grain flow and mass flow conglomerates of Gilbert-type delta foresets. Staircases of offlapping depositional terraces are inferred to be the product of forced regression due to Late Quaternary footwall uplift superimposed upon Late Pleistocene glacio-eustatic fluctuations. Away from loci of coarse clastic input, raised terraces and platforms of coral and carbonate detritus occur, with raised notches evidencing continued Holocene uplift. Instrumentally recorded seismicity within the Goodenough Basin has been limited in the last few decades. But the tectonic geomorphology and implied uplift rates on its southern margin imply a significant seismic hazard, if controlled by seismogenic displacement events. Continental lithospheric extension west of the propagating tip of the Woodlark Basin has two distinct behaviours: To the north of the Goodenough Basin lie the documented metamorphic core complexes, with evidence for shallow-dipping, seismogenic normal faults. The southern continental rift margin and the Goodenough Basin are characterized by high angle faults and tectonic geomorphologies analogous to rift margins in central Greece or the Gulf of Suez, suggesting different lithospheric conditions. The region thus offers an ideal locale for studying the crustal conditions that determine extensional geodynamic states.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFM.T31B0455C
- Keywords:
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- 8107 Continental neotectonics (8002);
- 8109 Continental tectonics: extensional (0905);
- 8120 Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general (1213);
- 8169 Sedimentary basin processes