Palaeogeographic evolution of Zealandia: mid-Cretaceous to present

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present a suite of 15 palaeogeographic maps illustrating the geological evolution of the entirety of Zealandia, from mid-Cretaceous to present, highlighting major tectonic phases, from initial Gondwana rifting through to development of the Neogene plate boundary. They illustrate palaeobathymetric and palaeofacies interpretations along with supporting geological datasets and a synthesis of regional tectonics. The maps are underpinned by a geologically-constrained and structurally-based rigid retro-deformation block model. This model, tied to the global plate circuit, is relatively simple for the main regions of Northern and Southern Zealandia, but breaks central Zealandia into numerous fault-bounded blocks, reflecting complex Neogene deformation associated with the modern plate boundary. Production of maps using GPlates and GIS allows for simple alteration or refinement of the block model and reconstruction of any geological dataset at any time. Reconstructions are within a palaeomagnetic reference frame, allowing assessment of palaeo-latitude, critical for palaeo-climatic and palaeo-biogeographic studies.