Tectonic paradox of the E margin of the Australian plate, 120 - 45 Ma

现有的地质证据表明，从1.2 -45亿年前，在澳大利亚板块的东部边缘发生了大陆地壳的大规模伸展。相反，全球板块运动模式表明太平洋板块和澳大利亚板块之间存在辐合，暗示了俯冲和岛弧岩浆作用。我们提议进行一次海洋研究考察，从澳大利亚东部海底山脊的峭壁上挖掘岩石。疏浚岩石的地球化学特征和定年将有助于阐明该地区的地质演化，提高我们对澳大利亚东部地质的认识，更好地界定澳大利亚东部沿海的海洋管辖区域。

Available geological evidence indicates that massive extension of continental crust occurred from 120-45 million years ago at the eastern margin of the Australian plate. In contrast, global plate movement models indicate that there was convergence between the Pacific and Australian plates, implying subduction and island arc magmatism. We propose a marine research expedition to dredge rocks from scarps of the submarine ridges east of Australia. Geochemical signatures and dating of the dredged rocks should elucidate the geological evolution of this region, improve our understanding of eastern Australian geology, and better define Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Zone along the eastern seaboard.