Sedimentary architecture of a Late Cretaceous under-filled rift basin, Canterbury Basin, New Zealand

The Canterbury Basin in southeastern Zealandia was initiated during the late Albian (ca. 105 Ma) as a rift system, prior to the onset of seafloor spreading between Zealandia and eastern Gondwana at ca. 85 Ma. Basin-fill architecture and sediment types have been determined from interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic-reflection lines tied to five wells and compared to outcrop data from the literature. These data show that Cretaceous syn-rift basin-fill architecture was controlled by normal faulting, which produced basin and range topography that persisted for more that ca. 30 Myr after the cessation of faulting. Initial sedimentation was dominated by short drainage systems sourced from within the basin to produce alluvial fans along fault scarps, which inter-fingered with axial-flowing braided river conglomerates, coal measures and mudstone-rich lake deposits in more central portions of the basins. Marine incursion of the basin from the east commenced during rifting and onset of Gondwana breakup, with maximum water depths achieved in the Oligocene. Post-rifting, detrital sediments were mainly sourced locally from structural highs and augmented by pelagic sedimentation, which collectively draped and eventually buried most of the earlier-formed horsts by the Early Eocene. The temporal persistence of basin and range topography reflected the low rates of erosion of horst blocks compared to the rates of fault displacement. The lack of substantial sediment input from outside of the rift basin was a key factor in the under-filling of the Canterbury Basin. This research emphasises the key role played by sediment supply in rift basin filling. Despite an abundance of active faulting at initiation, some rift basins may fill slowly over tens of million years after rift cessation.

Automated summary

The Canterbury Basin in southeastern Zealandia originated as a rift system during the late Albian, with basin-fill architecture controlled by normal faulting resulting in basin and range topography. Sediment types included alluvial fans, braided river conglomerates, coal measures, and lake deposits. Marine incursion began during rifting and Gondwana breakup, eventually being covered by detrital sediments and pelagic deposition by the Early Eocene.