Late Neogene and Quaternary Vertical Motions in the Otway Coast, Southeast Australia (I): Development and Geochronology of Quaternary Marine Terraces

Abstract: This study investigates a neotectonic context of the past 5 Ma for the Otway Ranges along the southern Victoria coast, SE Australia by evaluating the distribution and development of marine terraces along the mountainous coastal area. Uplift rate derived from low terrace deposits using OSL dating method is determined to evaluate the extent to which mild intraplate tectonism has the capability to influence the geomorphic evolution of continental interiors. This study also investigates the stratigraphic relationship between Quaternary marine terraces and Pliocene strandlines, which suggests a change of tectonic activity in the Late Neogene. The intensified tectonic response is well addressed in terms of an increase of the Australian intraplate stress level due to the change of relative motion and increased forces in the boundary between the Australian and Pacific plate