"August, 2001" / Bibliography: leaves 173-183. / xvi, 184, 12 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps, plates (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / "The primary objective of the study was to gain a better understanding of the tectonostratigraphic evolutionary history of the Bass Basin. In particular, the study has focussed on mapping and analysing all the faults and fault patterns in the Bass Basin in relation to the subsidence history and its influence on sedimentation and hydrocarbon potential of the basin. The reason why the Durroon area and the Bass area behaved differently in response to extensional stresses was investigated. As a final outcome, it was thought important to clarify some of the existing disagreement about the broad tectonic and structural history of the basin and in particular to separate the influence of the Otway and Tasman Sea rifting episodes on the sedimentation history of the Bass and Durroon area. The study also aimed at investigating the occurence in the basin and nature of a recently recognised fault system, a polygonal fault system." --p. 2. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, National Centre for Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, 2002