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Table 1 Explanation of the scheme that was used to classify particular regions of the geological map to a particular terrane

From: New Guinean orogenic dynamics and biota evolution revealed using a custom geospatial analysis pipeline

Geological terrane

Description

Uplifted Australian Plate affinity

Rocks that are Miocene or older and have always been or were once part of the Australian Plate

Transitional

Metamorphic rocks—typically of Cretaceous age. Note however, these typically have poor age control and more often than not were classified on the basis that these are deformed/metamorphic rock

Mesozoic ultramafic rocks

Refers to Cretaceous or older ultramafic rocks

Accreted Pacific Plate affinity

Cretaceous to Early Miocene mafic volcanic rocks that likely accreted to New Guinea's northern margin during the Cretaceous, or during the Eocene–Oligocene. This classification contains some ultramafic rock

Post collisional volcanics and intrusives

Refers to volcanic and plutonic rocks that are Miocene age or younger

Miocene or younger rocks that overlie Pacific Plate

Refers to sedimentary rocks and carbonates that are Miocene or younger that overlie what was once likely part of the Pacific Plate (and therefore assumed to also be representative of the ‘Accreted Pacific Plate affinity’ category)

Pliocene or younger rocks that overlie the Australian Plate

Refers to sedimentary rocks and carbonates that are Pliocene or younger that overlie what is or was once part of the Australian Plate (and therefore assumed to also be representative of the ‘Uplifted Australian Plate affinity’ category)