Authors / CoAuthors
Anderson, J. | Carr, L. | Carson, C.
Abstract
The preserved successions from the Mesoproterozoic Era (1600 to 1000 Ma) are a relatively understudied part of Australian geological evolution, especially considering that this era has a greater time span than the entire Phanerozoic. These rocks are mostly known in variably-preserved sedimentary basins overlying Paleoproterozoic or Archean cratons or at the margins of these cratons. Some metamorphosed equivalents occur within the orogens between or marginal to these cratons. Both energy and mineral resources are hosted in Australian Mesoproterozoic basins, including the highly-prospective organic rich shale units within the Beetaloo Sub-basin (Northern Territory), which form part of the Beetaloo Petroleum Supersystem. The primary aim for this record is to provide a consolidated state of knowledge of Australian basins or successions similar in age to that of the Mesoproterozoic Beetaloo Petroleum Supersystem. The findings of this report will assist prioritising future work, through improved geological understanding and resource prospectivity. This report presents an overview of 14 Mesoproterozoic-age sedimentary basins or successions and their current level of understanding, including location, basin architecture, stratigraphy and depositional environments, age constraints and mineral and energy resources. Basins or successions included in this record are unmetamorphosed or metamorphosed to very low-grade conditions. Recommendations are made for future work to address the main knowledge gaps identified from this review. While some of these basins have been the focus of recent intense study and data acquisition, the extent of knowledge varies broadly across basins. All basins reviewed in this record would benefit from further geochemical and geochronological analyses, and stratigraphic study to better understand the timing of depositional events and their correlation with nearby basins. Elucidation of the post-depositional history of alteration, migration of fluids and/or hydrocarbons would facilitate future exploration and resource evaluation.
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document
eCat Id
147772
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
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- Contact instructions
- MEG
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Keywords
- theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf
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- GEOLOGY
- ( Temporal )
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- Mesoproterozoic
- ( Theme )
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- basin
- ( Theme )
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- review
- ( Place )
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- Australia
- ( Project )
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- EFTF - Exploring for the Future
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- Published_External
- ( Project )
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- Australia’s Future Energy Resources
- ( Project )
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- AFER
Publication Date
2023-06-28T01:29:52
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completed
Purpose
Review of Australian Mesoproterozoic basins to assist prioritising future work, through improved geological understanding and resource prospectivity.
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notPlanned
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geoscientificInformation
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Record RECORD 2023/029
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This work was undertaken as part of the Exploring for the future program.
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Extents
[-36.00, -10.00, 114.00, 146.00]
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Spatial Resolution
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