Early Miocene carbonate ramp development in a warm ocean, North West Shelf, Australia

Although carbonate ramps are widely described from the geological record, there is still a debate on relative influence of water temperature, trophic conditions and type factories their development. The ca 2400 km long Australian North West Shelf among largest Cenozoic provinces worldwide, records transition an early Miocene ramp to middle rimmed platform. This change observable publicly available seismic data, giving opportunity investigate environmental influences platform evolution. study combines macroscopic petrographic descriptions strata cropping out in Cape Range Anticline (North Cape, southern end Shelf) time-equivalent well cuttings adjacent, offshore Exmouth Sub-basin. Particular emphasis placed identification larger benthic foraminifera at broad generic level, because differing taxa have limited range habitable that serve as proxies. results show dominantly composed with minor coralline algae proximal platform, grading micropackstones more distal A margin inferred lithological data basis lack framework builders presence open oceanic indicators. Facies shallow upward through individual outcrops, trend towards north-west. These trends along outcrops consistent interpretations. Identification warm, oligotrophic affinity suggests was formed warm ocean, despite absence coral reefs. Changes facies depth do not seem be associated changes morphology, latter may been controlled by physical parameters, such currents waves.