摘要
The geological evolution of Australia is closely linked to supercontinent cycles that have characterised the tectonic evolution of Earth,with most geological and metallogenic events relating to supercontinent/supercraton assembly and breakup.Australia mainly grew from W–E,with two major Archean cratons,the Yilgarn and Pilbara cratons,forming the oldest part of the continent in the West Australian Element.The centre of the continent consists of the mainly Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic North and South Australian elements,whereas the E is dominated by the Neoproterozoic–Mesozoic Tasman Element.The West,North and South Australian elements initially assembled during the Paleoproterozoic amalgamation of Nuna,and the Tasman Element formed mostly as a Paleozoic accretionary margin during the assembly of Gondwana-Pangea.Australia’s present position as a relatively stable continent resulted from the breakup of Gondwana.Australia is currently moving northward toward SE Asia,probably reflecting the earliest stages of the assembly of the next supercontinent,Amasia.
