Part 1. East Autralian margin and the western marginal basins: Basin evolution and marginal plateau subsidence in the Coral Sea

Abstract

Marginal plateaus, such as the Coral Sea Plateau, are special structures related to, and occurring within the transition zone between continental and ocean crust. They are continental structures which have been modified by the effects of tectonism associated with the formation of an ocean basin. The structure of a plateau owes as much to an original relationship with the continent adjoining it on one side, as it does to a tectonic relationship with the ocean basin adjoining it on the opposite side. The history of development of a marginal plateau reflects varying condition at a continent/ocean lithosphere boundary during development of a new continental margin.