The basement was flooded in the early Miocene at which time the MP2 platform began to develop. In the early late Miocene the MP2 platform was exposed during a major sea level fall and the MP3 platform initiated on the basinal facies of MP2. In the late Miocene and early Pliocene, sea level rose enabling the development of the MP3 platform and eventually reflooding the surface of MP2. Proposed Leg 194 sites are marked on diagram E. Figure 4. Marion Plateau sea-level events vs. age compared to those from Haq et al.
Contours are effectively isosubsidence lines for total subsidence of basement.
Locations of proposed sites are shown. Note that the sites generally strike parallel to the flexural axis and have undergone similar total subsidence. Map showing the major structural features of the Coral Sea. Shading around error bars indicates the area in which the true subsidence curve should occur. Stratigraphic summary of previously cored sites located near Leg 194 sites.