The break-up of Gondwana resulted in extension New Zealand continental crust during the Cretaceous–Paleocene. Offshore geometry and rift history are well imaged by new regional mapping a large seismic reflection dataset, tied to wells, used here document Cretaceous–Paleocene ( c . 105 – 55 Ma) evolution greater Taranaki Basin region. Two temporally distinct phases rifting have been recognized region, record break-up. first (Zealandia phase) produced half-grabens trending NW WNW...

Latest Eocene–earliest Miocene strata in the subsurface of Taranaki Basin provide important new regional paleogeographic and tectonic constraints not available from outcrop. Six maps region have been produced utilising extensive well, seismic reflection outcrop data. These record three broad periods sedimentation characterised by (1) variable transgression initial deformation (c. 40–30 Ma); (2) maximum with moderate 30–21 (3) regression accelerated (< 21 Ma). Local patterns were influenced...

Abstract Miocene strata in the southern Taranaki Basin (STB), up to 3 km thick, provide a distal record of erosion associated with plate boundary deformation New Zealand. 2D and 3D seismic reflection data tied drillhole stratigraphy have been used constrain four main phases basin development. These are: (a) Early (22–19 Ma) subsidence, dominantly bathyal water depths deposition minor submarine fans along eastern margin. (b) Middle (19–14 widespread fan on floor central STB. (c) Rapid...

We present a suite of 15 palaeogeographic maps illustrating the geological evolution entirety Zealandia, from mid-Cretaceous to present, highlighting major tectonic phases, initial Gondwana rifting through development Neogene plate boundary. They illustrate palaeobathymetric and palaeofacies interpretations along with supporting datasets synthesis regional tectonics. The are underpinned by geologically-constrained structurally-based rigid retro-deformation block model. This model, tied...

We present new interpretations and mapping that define the distribution, extent, sediment thickness of 25 primarily offshore sedimentary basins within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Extended Continental Shelf (ECS). These cover ∼1.64 million km2 ∼5.8 (∼28%) territory. The formed in different tectonic settings. Most initially during mid- to Late Cretaceous either a rift-related setting Gondwana break-up, or atop paleo subduction margin. Others due onset mid-Paleogene sea-floor...

Seasonal underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in porous media provides an as yet untested method for storing surplus renewable energy and balancing our demands. This study investigates the technical suitability UHS depleted hydrocarbon fields one deep aquifer site Taranaki Basin, Aotearoa New Zealand. Prospective sites are assessed using a decision tree approach, providing "fast-track" identifying potential sites, matrix approach ranking optimal sites. Based on expert elicitation, most...

Abstract Eight latest Eocene to earliest Miocene stratigraphic surfaces have been identified in petroleum well data from the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. These define seven regional sedimentary packages, of variable thickness and lithofacies, forming a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate system. The evolving tectonic setting, particularly initial development Australian–Pacific convergent margin, controlled geographic, facies variability. This signal overprinted transgressive trend that culminated...

The New Zealand Fossil Record File, an essentially complete compilation of Zealand's known fossil record, with additional records from parts Antarctica, SW Pacific, and elsewhere, is, to the best our knowledge, unique. It has developed collaboratively, contributions university, government, industry, avocational paleontologists geologists. distinctive Number become icon geological literature since inception original paper-based archive in 1940s. Subsequently, file been digitised currently...

Abstract Terrestrial methane (CH4) emissions may have increased during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ca. 56 Ma) and promoted additional warming, especially in high latitudes. Although there is evidence for CH4 cycling a single Northern Hemisphere site, whether enhanced was globally widespread unknown because been no subsequent investigations. The mechanism of release also direct comparison between temperature has so far not possible. Here we use biomarkers to reconstruct change...

We present a mid-Late Cretaceous to day tectonic reconstruction model for Aotearoa-New Zealand. Our GPlates comprises 50 rigid crustal blocks grouped into regions with common deformation histories set within well-defined Australia-Pacific-Antarctica plate circuit tied published global paleomagnetic absolute reference frame. Within the model, four distinct periods of are recognised from both near- and far-field observations. A key assumption is continuity basement terranes between North South...

Fault block basins exposed along NE Greenland provide insights into the tectonic evolution of East and Norwegian-Greenland Sea. We present a new geological map cross sections Traill Ø region, Greenland, which formed western margin Vøring Basin prior to Cenozoic seafloor spreading. Observations support polyphase rift with three phases during Devonian–Triassic, Jurassic–Cretaceous, time. The greatest amounts faulting rotation occurred rifting, we correlate development continent-ocean...

The Great South Basin, off New Zealand’s southeast coast, has attracted renewed exploration interest from major petroleum companies since 2005. distribution of the mid Cretaceous to Paleocene source rocks (coals and coaly mudstones) is a critical component in evaluating basin prospectivity. This paper delineates rock seismic facies characterisation, presents series updated paleogeographic maps over initial (Cretaceous) phases evolution. Basin evolution been analysed mapped sequence...

Abstract The Great South Basin (GSB) developed in the Cretaceous from continental rifting at southeastern margin of Gondwana. basin contains a thick succession that is largely unaffected by Neogene compressional tectonics, with rift faults and associated growth strata imaged good‐quality 2‐D 3‐D seismic data tied to wells. These show three distinct stages normal faulting here referred as fault system initiation (Stage 1), 2), death 3). different evolution comprise dominant NE trending (NW‐SE...

Abstract The Pacific plate circuit went through a complex reorganization during the early to middle Eocene, approximately coinciding with onset of subduction along western margin. However, timing and dynamics this change in southwest evolution beneath Tonga‐Kermadec Arc are not fully resolved. We present magneto‐biostratigraphic data from an Eocene sedimentary section exposed Koumac‐Gomen area, New Caledonia, which is emerged portion Norfolk Ridge. 260 m‐thick succession contains transition...

Abstract Combined U–Pb, Lu–Hf and O isotope data of detrital zircons from the Devonian sandstone southern Libya provide important new boundary parameters for reconstruction palaeosource areas sediment transport may lead to novel approaches test current plate tectonic models, with implications our understanding evolution northern Gondwana (in present-day coordinates) during Palaeozoic. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages eastern margin Murzuq Basin show four main age populations: 2.7–2.5 Ga (13%),...

This paper presents a reappraisal of datasets from Titihaoa-1, an offshore petroleum exploration drillhole that intersects ∼2740 m-thick Holocene to early-middle Miocene sedimentary succession in the Titihaoa Sub-basin, part Hikurangi accretionary wedge. The well provides important datapoint southern subduction margin. We present new and revised foraminiferal biostratigraphic paleoenvironmental interpretations help constrain age, depositional paleo-water depths, sedimentation rates,...

Abstract Evolution of rift basin fill and geometry depend on the complex interactions between fault growth, sediment supply, base level changes pre‐existing basement fabric. This study integrates multiple datasets in Great South Basin (GSB), southeast New Zealand, provides key insights into evolution depositional environments basins, including interplay normal faulting, supply dispersal patterns. It also examines control fabric distribution syn‐ post successions. The syn‐rift is up to ~5.5...