Journal of the Virtual Explorer

Lennox et al. (point 5, page 6 2013) point out that our suggestion of a latest Carboniferous onset of cleavage formation in the subduction complex in Figure 10c is too old. On page 22, we cited papers that suggest that metamorphism of subduction complex rocks occurred at ~311 Ma in one area and 318 and 312 Ma (white mica ages) elsewhere, the last two approximating a D2 deformation. These ages are the sources of our ~311 Ma age of deformation in Figure 10c.

Lennox et al. (point 6 page 7, 2013) write that on page 24 Glen and Roberts (2012) were unclear about the formation of cleavage in the Tamworth Belt, and that there are two cleavages in this belt, one parallel to the Peel-Manning Fault System and one oblique, reflecting sinistral movement on that fault system (Cao and Durney, 1993). On page 25, paragraph 1, we said that the sporadic regional cleavage in the Tamworth Belt may be part of the first stage of westward thrusting. On page 25, paragraph 2 we said that the limited N-trending cleavage along the eastern part of the Tamworth Belt might reflect limited left-lateral movement of the Peel-Manning Fault System in the second phase of shortening and cited Cao and Durney (1993). It is pleasing that Lennox et al. (2013) agree.

Lennox et al. (Where did the Hastings Block Come From, Page 9, 2013) correctly point out that we mistakenly suggested that Lennox and Offler (2009) had inferred left-lateral movement on the WNW-trending Taree Fault rather than the WNW-trending Mt George/Kanghat fault segment of the Peel-Manning Fault System to the south. However, we were following the suggestions of Lennox et al. (1999) that the WNW-trending parts of the Peel-Manning Fault System had undergone sinistral strike-slip faulting. Our main point, however, was to suggest that the Taree Fault had undergone southwest block-up thrusting, based on our cross sections of figure 8b,c, especially the vergence of high-level thrusts in figure 8c. This is supported by Mawer (1976), who suggested reverse movement with up to 5 km of vertical displacement on the Taree Fault.

Lennox et al. (point 4, page 6, 2013) suggest our interpretation of overprinting relationships is wrong, and that meridional folds are D1 and WNW-trending folds are D2. They base this on Collins (1991) and tuff ages. However, in their geological analysis of the Hunter Coalfield and relationship with the Hunter Thrust to the east, Glen and Beckett (1997) showed clearly that the WNW-trending Hunter Thrust had been folded in three dimensions by north-trending D2 folds, some of which extend into the upper (thrust) plate (the forearc basin of the Tamworth Belt), with or without refraction of strike. Similar relationships of WNW-trending D1 folds folded by N to NNE-trending D2 folds were shown in Glen and Roberts (2012, Figure 7a, 7b), based on classical overprinting criteria that can be found in any structural geology textbook.