Sedimentation in the Narrabeen Group, southern Sydney basin, New South Wales

Abstract

Abstract A study of the Narrabeen Group in the southern part of the Sydney Basin has provided a more complete understanding of the conditions of deposition in the area during the Lower Triassic. The sedimentology of the sequence indicates that several different types of fluvial deposits are represented, with an upward succession from piedmont conditions with braided streams to a swampy deltaic plain. This sequence is interpreted as the onshore portion of a slow marine transgression, probably brought about by declining erosive activity in the hinterland. The palaeocurrent pattern shows that drainage was principally to the south‐southwest, parallel to the basin axis, and the lateral transition from quartzose to lithic sediments across the basin can be interpreted as a blending of sediment from western and northern source areas. In addition several influxes of material from a source east of the present coastline are indicated, with reworked volcanic debris being introduced into the south coast district. This southeasterly source area did not greatly impede the drainage of the basin during lower Narrabeen deposition, but was responsible for a major diversion of stream patterns as the topmost beds were laid down. This diversion was completed by a northeasterly drainage pattern during deposition of the overlying Hawkesbury Sandstone.