Publication Name: The Sedimentary Basins of WA
Authors: N.W. Archbold
Publication Volume: 3
Date Published: December 2002
Number of Pages: 35
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
Correlations of the Permian sequences for sixteen regions of north eastern Gondwana during the Permian arepresented in this review. These correlations are compared with Permian sequences of the Australian continent. Broad conclusions on palaeoclimatic change and tectonic events are summarised for six time intervals of the Permian Period.
The Asselian-Sakmarian-early Artinskian time interval indicates a change from cold to temperate depositional
environments. Glacial deposits and low diversity Gondwanan marine faunas are succeeded by younger, warmer water, clastic and bioclastic sequences with moderately diverse marine faunas. Deposition of these sequences is occasionally associated with basaltic volcanism and initial rifting of the peripheral northern Gondwanan margin.
During the Late Artinskian-Kungurian (including Early Ufimian) time interval, climate amelioration occurred with the onset of carbonate deposition in several Cimmerian terranes. Basaltic volcanism in several terranes is indicative of significant rifting and the opening of the Meso-Tethys.
The Roadian (Late Ufimian) and Wordian-Capitanian (including Kazanian-Midian) time intervals were characterised by widespread, subtropical, marine carbonate depositional sequences. These occurred
throughout the Cimmerian blocks as they drifted northward and on the more northerly parts of the MesoTethyan
southern margin. These transgressive sequences may rest on significant unconformity surfaces. Equivalent
carbonate units are known in the offshore and subsurface sequences of western Australia. Andesitic, convergent plate margin volcanism and volcaniclastic sequences are present in eastern Australia.
The Wuchiapingian time slice is characterised by widespread marine transgressions which extended into the
north western basins of Australia. The Changhsingian time slice is represented by relatively minor marine transgressive events in the TransHimalaya with the Selong section ofTibet being probably the most complete Permo-Triassic sequence for the southern margin of the Meso-Tethys.