Nature of the Cuvier Abyssal Plain crust, offshore NW Australia

Magnetic stripes have long been assumed to be indicative of oceanic crust. However, continental crust heavily intruded by magma can also record magnetic stripes. We re-evaluate the nature Cuvier Abyssal Plain (CAP), offshore NW Australia, which hosts and has previously defined as show that chemical data from a basalt within CAP, described an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt, could equally interpreted contain evidence contamination material. recognize seaward-dipping reflector sequences in seismic reflection across CAP. Borehole overlying sedimentary rocks suggests these reflectors were emplaced shallow water (<200 m depth) or subaerial environment. Our results indicate CAP may not unambiguous crust, but instead consist spectrum through fully If represents such continent–ocean transition zone, then adjacent would located >500 km further Australia than currently thought. This impact plate tectonic reconstructions, well heat flow basin modelling studies. work supports growing consensus cannot, themselves, used determine crustal affinity. Supplementary material: Enlarged uninterpreted versions lines are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5332172