INTRODUCING FROGNet™:
A NEW RIGID PLATE
RECONSTRUCTION MODEL
FROGTECH has released the FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model for non-exclusive, annual subscription
to petroleum and mining companies. The model is compatible with The Rothwell Group, L.P. PaleoGIS Plate
Reconstruction Software. http://www.paleogis.com/
A GEOLOGY-DRIVEN PLATE RECONSTRUCTION MODEL
The FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model offers the insight into over 15 years of global mapping of
tectonostratigraphic provinces and basement terranes by FROGTECH geodynamic and basement specialists.
The global scale and complex geology of the FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model is based on FROGTECH's
recently released Global Terranes Database which has over 1400 continental plate fragments supported by ~1300
references. FROGNet™ Terranes were interpreted using Potential Field data and key information like terrane type,
composition, age and tectonic evolution was compiled using published literature and geological maps.
Left: The FROGNet™ Rigid
Plate Reconstruction Model
for 70Ma (Maastrichtian).
The FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model also includes a
compilation of over 500 Tectonic Events supported by ~685
references and captured in the Geodynamics Database.
Each event is classified based on its type and dominant stress
regime, and is fully attributed with a technical abstract, Maximum,
Minimum and Event Culmination Age, as well as the references.
The FROGNet Terranes, along with the Tectonic events Database
were key elements to evaluate published models and constrain
the FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model.
Above: 150Ma (Tithonian) time slice showing
the terrane types, tectonic boundaries and the
Satellite Free Air Gravity.
A world leader in geophysical processing, structural and tectonic interpretations,
basin analysis and resource-related geological science.
FROGTECH Pty Ltd
Postal: PO Box 250, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
Office: Suite 17F, Level 1, 2 King Street, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 6283 4800
E: info@frogtech.com.au
W: www.frogtech.com.au
INTRODUCING FROGNet™:
A NEW RIGID PLATE
RECONSTRUCTION MODEL
BASEMENT TERRANES IN FROGNet™
Terranes geometry in the FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model have been individually interpreted from
Potential Field Data. For example, when calibrated with known geology, the sources of magnetic and gravity
anomalies can be inferred and extrapolated offshore and/or under sedimentary cover to interpret the basement
lithology and structural fabric, and help to develop a model for the evolution of the basement.
Cross-section, DEM and Surface Geology
• Surface geology is a key dataset and provides
calibration for interpretation of DEM, gravity,
and magnetic data. Where basement is
outcropping, the direct correlation of
geological units with patterns in geopotential
field data is possible
• Cross-sections, including seismic, gravity
models or structural models provide
constraints on basement geometry at depth,
which can also help calibrating potential field
data.
Cross-sections
Lithology
Stratigraphic Age
Terrane Type
TERRANE MAP
Potential Field Data
• Magnetic Data: Most bodies within the
basement have a distinctive magnetic
signature characterized by the magnitude,
heterogeneity, and fabric of the magnetic
signal. Magnetic data provides information on
the structure and composition of magnetic
basement and intrasedimentary magnetic
units.
• Gravity data: Gravity images show density
contrasts within the crust, but the source of
the contrast is not unique. As a regional tool
it gives information both on the density of
bodies within the crust and composition, as
well as on differences in mantle depth.
High-Pass 300km of
Bouguer Gravity
Low-Pass 100km of
Bouguer Gravity
A world leader in geophysical processing, structural and tectonic interpretations,
basin analysis and resource-related geological science.
FROGTECH Pty Ltd
Postal: PO Box 250, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
Office: Suite 17F, Level 1, 2 King Street, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 6283 4800
E: info@frogtech.com.au
W: www.frogtech.com.au
Gamma A5 - TMI
INTRODUCING FROGNet™:
A NEW RIGID PLATE
RECONSTRUCTION MODEL
TECTONIC EVENTS AND ROTATIONS
FROGTECH has compiled a Geodynamics Database, including over 500 Phanerozoic Tectonic Events supported by
~685 references. The Geodynamics Database also includes 25 Times Slices with pre-reconstructed terranes as well
inferred Tectonic Boundaries that illustrate the geodynamic setting for relevant paleogeographic maps.
Tectonic Events and Tectonic Boundaries were compiled from literature and modified based on FROGTECH
knowledge. This information was then used to constrain the rotations of each of the 2750+ terranes fragments in
the FROGNet™ Rigid Plate Reconstruction Model.
Active Tectonic Events
Event name
Equatorial Atlantic Rifting (S America)
Event Category
Passive Margin
Event Type
Extensional
Event Age (Ma)
139
Event Age Reference
Igneous Emplacement
Event Max Age (Ma)
145 (Berriasian)
Event Min Age (Ma)
125 (Aptian)
Abstract
As the South Atlantic progressively unzipped from south to north, early syn-rift basins started to
develop along the margins of the future Equatorial Atlantic as well. On the northeastern Brazilian
margin, deformation was accommodated by NW-SE trending normal faults, forming narrow graben
and half-graben systems. The future Pernambuco Basin in Brazil and the Benue Trough system were
connected via a major shear zone, likely a reactivated Brasiliano-aged basement structure. The NE
Brazil "microplate" encountered a 2° clockwise rotation (Macdonald et al., 2003), and strike-slip
faulting took place along Pernambuco Shear Zone.
References
Wilson and Guiraud, 1992; Macdonald et al., 2003
A world leader in geophysical processing, structural and tectonic interpretations,
basin analysis and resource-related geological science.
FROGTECH Pty Ltd
Postal: PO Box 250, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
Office: Suite 17F, Level 1, 2 King Street, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 6283 4800
E: info@frogtech.com.au
W: www.frogtech.com.au
INTRODUCING FROGNet™:
A NEW RIGID PLATE
RECONSTRUCTION MODEL
FROGNet™ RIGID PLATE RECONSTRUCTION MODEL: A TOOL FOR EXPLORATION
Knowledge of basement terranes, including structural fabric and composition that is provided for each terrane is
a key element to understand the evolution of basins and petroleum systems elements. For example, it provides
fundamental information to understand the rate of subsidence, heat flow distribution, maturation history,
migration pathways and distribution of reservoir and source rocks.
PETROLEUM PLAY ELEMENTS
Paleogeography
Maturity + Hydrocarbon
Generation
Migration Pathways &
Fluid Focusing
Total Sediment
Thickness
Reservoir & Seal Quality
Plate Tectonic
Events, Kinematics
Trap Timing, Size &
Distribution
Basin Architecture &
Evolution
Fabric
Terrane Boundaries
Composition
TERRANES
BENEFITS OF FROGNet™ RIGID PLATE RECONSTRUCTION
MODEL
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•
•
•
Tectonic evolution outlined in the plate fragment attributes table
provides a geological guide to understand a reconstructed time slice.
The description of basement composition allows for evaluation of
basement heatflow, sediment provenance and lithofacies, and
provides a first-pass assessment of regional paleogeography.
Rotation parameters for each fragment are compiled from literature
and adjusted based on FROGTECH’s knowledge of terrane and basin
evolution. The rotation files are consistent at world scale.
The high resolution of FROGTECH’s plate net allows the model to
accommodate intracontinental deformation minimising overlaps and
gaps that are inherent to other rigid plate models.
Contact us for a demonstration of
the new FROGNet™ model and
presentation on the geological
building of the model.
PRODUCT INQUIRIES
Jane Blevin
Marie-Aude Bonnardot
T +61 (0) 2 6283 4800
E frognet@frognet.com.au
A world leader in geophysical processing, structural and tectonic interpretations,
basin analysis and resource-related geological science.
FROGTECH Pty Ltd
Postal: PO Box 250, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
Office: Suite 17F, Level 1, 2 King Street, Deakin West ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 6283 4800
E: info@frogtech.com.au
W: www.frogtech.com.au