New and existing seismic reflection data in southern McMurdo Sound have been used to investigate Neogene tectonic history of the Terror Rift adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains and along the western margin of the West Antarctic Rift System. Seismic data image a young rifting episode that is largely unsampled by CRP and CIROS drill holes. Data reveal up to 3.5 km of post middle Miocene strata deposited in this part of the NNW- SSE trending Terror Rift basin. Mapped fault trends in the southern Terror Rift parallel the axis of the basin and are prominent in a 40 km wide zone north of Ross Island. Displacement on individual faults in this zone can exceed 100 m and faults collectively accommodate approximately 10-15 km of middle Miocene to recent extension.
History
Publication title
US Geological Survey
Editors
Whittaker
Pagination
1-4
ISSN
0196-1497
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
US Geological Survey
Place of publication
United States
Event title
10th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences
Event Venue
Santa Barbara, California, United States
Date of Event (End Date)
2007-08-01
Rights statement
Copyright 2007 United States Geological Survey, the Authors and The University of Tasmania