Crustal structure and evolution of the Mawson Sea, western Wilkes Land margin, East Antarctica

Open-File Report 2007-1047-SRP-028
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Thisstudy is based on about 4000 km of MCS, magnetic and gravity data as well as 10 sonobuoys collected by the 2005 Russian Antarctic Expedition in the Mawson Sea and adjacent Australian-Antarctic basin between 102°E and 115°E. Major identified tectonic provinces and features of the study region include: 1) A marginal rift about 300 km wide which developed as a result of extreme crustal extension and unroofing of the upper mantle, and 2) An oceanic basin with the crust of not older than 81 Ma, which is characterized by ultraslow sea-floorspreading ratesranging from 3 to 11 mm/yr. Three major unconformities are identified in the sedimentary cover of the Mawson Sea and are interpreted to be caused by break-up between Australia and Antarctica at about 81 Ma ago (WL1), the first arrival of the ice sheet to the Mawson Sea (WL3) and continental scale glaciation at about 34 Ma ago (WL4).

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Crustal structure and evolution of the Mawson Sea, western Wilkes Land margin, East Antarctica
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2007-1047-SRP-028
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071047SRP028
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 4 p.
Other Geospatial Antarctica
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details