This study investigates elevations of previously dated paleoshoreline
features and rates of neotectonic deformation within the
onshore Carnarvon basin in coastal west central Australia. The study
area extends along the coast from Cape Cuvier to the northern tip of
the Cape Range (~21.5°S to 25°S) and is herein referred to as the Cape
Region (Fig. 1). The generally low-lying landscape of the Cape Region
is punctuated by a series of topographically prominent anticlines that
deform the Miocene Trealla and Tulki limestones and other undifferentiated
Miocene to younger sedimentary deposits (e.g., Hocking et al.,
1987). We utilize coastal geomorphology and nearshore stratigraphy
related to the last interglacial (LIg) period to assess whether the late
Neogene folds in the Cape Region have been tectonically active since
Marine Isotope Stage 5e (MIS 5e). The MIS 5e shoreline sequence is
characterized by a fringing reef platform, nearshore sediments, a
geomorphologically distinct abrasion surface, a paleo-shoreline angle,
and the adjacent paleo sea cliff or terrace riser. Geomorphic features of
both the modern (active) shoreline and the emergent MIS 5e paleoshoreline
were mapped and surveyed to document the relative
positions and elevations of shoreline features and to determine the
elevations of paleo sea-level indicators.