Cenozoic evolution of the Campbell Plateau, Subantarctic New Zealand: Insights from sub-bottom profile data

New research reveals that the Campbell Plateau, part of Zealandia and the Gondwana super-continent, has undergone substantial erosion and deformation since its separation ~98 million years ago. Sub-bottom profile data from 2017-2018 indicate a relatively undeformed sub-surface with minor reverse faulting, contradicting previous interpretations. The study identifies dynamic sedimentary processes, including onlap/downlap surfaces interpreted as current scours and erosional features, particularly in the southern plateau. A plateau-wide Pliocene unconformity suggests a large-scale erosional event. Lithological changes from Cretaceous biogenic sediments to Miocene nannofossil-rich oozes and Pleistocene foraminiferal oozes are linked to Southern Ocean circulation patterns, including the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and local wind-driven currents.

Cathie, B. Cenozoic evolution of the Campbell Plateau, Subantarctic New Zealand: Insights from sub-bottom profile data. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17148380