The role of small-scale extensional faulting in the evolution of basin geometries. An example from the late Palaeozoic Petrel Sub-basin, northwest Australia

Abstract

During continental extension, the kinematic collapse of the hangingwall of major normal faults and the subsequent isostatic response imposes a strong control on the evolving basin geometry. The interaction of the flexural wavelength. and the magnitude and location of faults may allow the development of basin geometries which deviate from a classic half-graben style, particularly if some of this deformation is below the scale of observation (commonly seismic reflection data). In particular the development of a lateral partitioning between large- and small-scale faults within a basin may exert a significant control on the resulting basin geometry. Using the Petrel Sub-basin in northwest Australia as an example, it is demonstrated that an extensional basin geometry consisting of a classic half-graben can be overprinted by a significant ‘sag’ geometry which can be related to the lateral offset of sub-resolution faulting. This lateral partitioning and resulting basin geometry may also have an application to other extensional basins, particularly if a mechanism is present to allow this partitioning of fault styles to develop. In the Petrel Sub-basin this has been related to the presence of older basement features of the Halls Creek Mobile Zone beneath the axis of the basin. However, a comparison with physical models also suggests that this may be applicable to basins formed by oblique rifting (a component of which may also be present within the Petrel Sub-basin), particularly if this is imposed upon a weak zone or suture within the upper mantle.