--> Abstract: Regional Geophysical Study of the Browse Basin, Offshore Northwestern Australia, by T. U. Maung, S. Cadman, J. Blevin, B. West, and V. L. Passmore; #91015 (1992).

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ABSTRACT: Regional Geophysical Study of the Browse Basin, Offshore Northwestern Australia

MAUNG, TUN U., STEVE CADMAN, JANE BLEVIN, BARRY WEST, and V. L. PASSMORE, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

The Browse basin is located in offshore northwestern Australia, west of the Precambrian Kimberly Block. The basin's presence was revealed by an aeromagnetic survey carried out in 1963. Subsequent reconnaissance marine seismic surveys confirmed the presence of over 10 km of Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks making the area potentially prospective as a petroleum province. The history of seismic exploration in the Browse basin reflects the rapid developments and changes in seismic technology from 1964 to 1988.

Generalized time structure contour maps for near "Breakup Unconformity," near intra-Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) and near base-Tertiary unconformity seismic horizons were compiled and synthesized. These maps together with several interpreted regional cross sections give an indication of the formation and evolution of the Browse basin and its tectonic elements.

The three seismic maps and the regional cross sections give indications of the Late Triassic and Late Jurassic tectonic episodes, which were followed by passive subsidence during the latest Jurassic to Early Tertiary times. During this time, reactivitation of some regional and local faults took place to varying degrees. The regional cross sections indicate uplift and erosion associated with a mild tectonic episode during Eocene to Miocene times.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91015©1992 AAPG International Conference, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, August 2-5, 1992 (2009)