The geology of the upper Mariner Glacier region, North Victoria Land, Antarctica

Abstract

Seven major rock units have been distinguished in the previously unmapped region around the head of the Mariner Glacier. The oldest is the Robertson Bay Group that includes Precambrian-Cambrian metasediments and interbedded volcanic rocks that are altered to biotite-grade schist in places. This sequence is overlain by the Camp Ridge Quartzite, a formation of the Bowers Group, probably lower Paleozoic in age and consisting chiefly of shallow-water quartzose sediments. Folding and metamorphism took place after the deposition of the Camp Ridge Quartzite, but the time of deformation is uncertain. The Granite Harbour Intrusive Complex is represented by post-tectonic quartz monzonite, biotite-orthoclase granite, aplite, and lamprophyre, all of probable lower Paleozoic age. Ferrar Group lavas and flat-lying Beacon Group sediments of Lower Mesozoic age, overlie a peneplain surface that truncates the older rocks. The youngest rocks in the area mapped belong to the olivine basalt-phonolite-trachyte association of the McMurdo Volcanic Group, ranging in age from late Tertiary to Quaternary. They are widespread as prominent cones or scoria mounds. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.