Post-early cretaceous landform evolution along the western margin of the Bancannia trough, western NSW.

Abstract

Previously undated post-Devonian sediments outcropping north of Fowlers Gap station near the western margin of the Bancannia Trough are shown by plant macro- and microfossil determinations to be of Early Cretaceous (most likely Neocomian and/or Aptian) age, and thus part of the Eromanga Basin. They are assigned to the previously defined Teleplione Creek Formation. Study of the structural configuration of this unit and the unconformably underlying Devonian rocks suggests that the gross landscape architecture of the area results from post-Early Cretaceous monoclinal folding along blind faults at the western margin of the trough, combined with the effects of differential erosion. This study shows that. while landscape evolution in the area has been dynamic, the major changes that have occurred are on a geological rather than human timescale. Key words: geology, landscape evolution, Eromanga Basin, folding