Reply to Comment by Offler et al. (2017) on “Orocline-Driven Transtensional Basins: Insights From the Lower Permian Manning Basin (Eastern Australia)” Llyam White 1 , Gideon Rosenbaum 1 , Uri Shaanan 1 , and Charlotte M. Allen 2 1 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 2 Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 1. Introduction We welcome the discussion and presentation of new data by Offler et al. (2017). In spite of a large number of independent evidence supporting the structure of the Manning Orocline (Cawood et al., 2011; Fielding et al., 2016; Glen & Roberts, 2012; Korsch & Harrington, 1987; Li & Rosenbaum, 2014; Mochales et al., 2014; Rosenbaum, 2012; Rosenbaum et al., 2012; White et al., 2016), Offler et al. (2017) argue that this oroclinal structure does not exist. They have expressed a similar opinion in earlier discussion and comment papers (Lennox et al., 2013; Offler et al., 2015). We studied the Manning Basin because we think that it is situated in the hinge of the Manning Orocline, and as such, its tectonosedimentary evolution may shed light on the oroclinal structure and its possible formation mechanisms. Offler et al. (2017) mainly focus on specific structural complexities within the Manning Basin and fail to acknowledge the overwhelming volume of inde- pendent evidence supporting the proposed tectonic model. Here we address specific comments made by Offler et al. (2017) and demonstrate that the new structural mapping data provided by these authors, when examined in a regional context, further support our regional interpretation for the existence and geometry of the Manning Orocline. 2. Folding and Faulting Offler et al. (2017) suggest that folding and faulting in the Manning Basin is more complicated than indicated by us. They draw attention to several unpublished theses (Brennan, 1976; Laurie, 1976; Sharp, 1995), where N-S, NW-SE, and E-W trending folds have been documented. They also present a new geological map from the southern part of the eastern limb of the Manning Basin and suggest that there are some inconsistencies between the new map and our structural interpretation. Our structural compilation map and associated stereographic projections (White et al., 2016, Figure 2) incor- porate data from all publically available mapping projects conducted on Manning Basin rocks, including the above mentioned unpublished theses. Our structural compilation indeed shows various fold trends, but there is no evidence for overprinting relationships. Therefore, the specific sequence of fold development assumed by Offler et al. (2017) is speculative. Furthermore, the recognition that folds proximal to major faults are com- monly aligned parallel to the faults (e.g., Jenkins & Offler, 1996) may suggest that different fold orientations resulted from the variable internal arrangement of faults, particularly in the eastern part of the basin. The new structural mapping data of the southernmost area of the eastern limb of the basin (for location see Figure 1) provided by Offler et al. (2017) is a welcome addition to the structural framework of the Manning Basin. The high variability of fold and fault orientations in this area (as indicated by the new map) lends strength to our original suggestion that the hinge of the Manning Orocline passes through this locality (Figure 1). 3. Cross Sections Offler et al. (2017) claim that our schematic cross sections A-A 0 and B-B 0 (Figure 2 in White et al., 2016) are inconsistent with the presented data and that they do not portray the inferred subsurface along the cross- section lines. These cross sections are conservatively labeled as schematic, despite being illustrated in agree- ment with all projected structures from the structural compilation map. We acknowledge that our schematic regional cross sections may not accurately convey minor structures at the outcrop scale. A greater degree of WHITE ET AL. REPLY TO COMMENT ON WHITE ET AL. (2016) 396 PUBLICATION S Tectonics REPLY 10.1002/2017TC004810 This article is a reply to comment by Offler et al. (2017), https://doi.org/ 10.1002/2016TC004288. Correspondence to: L. White, l.white7@uq.edu.au Citation: White, L., Rosenbaum, G., Shaanan, U., & Allen, C. M. (2018). Reply to comment by Offler et al. (2017) on “Orocline-driven transtensional basins: Insights from the Lower Permian Manning Basin (eastern Australia)”. Tectonics, 37, 396–399. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017TC004810 Received 14 SEP 2017 Accepted 15 NOV 2017 Accepted article online 29 NOV 2017 Published online 17 JAN 2018 ©2017. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by University of Queensland eSpace