High-resolution airborne gravity imaging over James Ross Island (West Antarctica)

Open-File Report 2007-1047-SRP-060
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Abstract

James Ross Island (JRI) exposes a Miocene-Recent alkaline basaltic volcanic complex that developed in a back-arc, east of the northern Antarctic Peninsula. JRI has been the focus of several geological studies because it provides a window on Neogene magmatic processes and paleoenvironments. However, little is known about its internal structure. New airborne gravity data were collected as part of the first high-resolution aerogeophysical survey flown over the island and reveal a prominent negative Bouguer gravity anomaly over Mt Haddington. This is intriguing as basaltic volcanoes are typically associated with positive Bouguer anomalies, linked to underlying mafic intrusions. The negative Bouguer anomaly may be associated with a hitherto unrecognised low-density sub-surface body, such as a breccia-filled caldera, or a partially molten magma chamber.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title High-resolution airborne gravity imaging over James Ross Island (West Antarctica)
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2007-1047-SRP-060
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071047SRP060
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 4 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World--Online Proceedings for the Tenth International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences. Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.--August 26 to September 1, 2007
Other Geospatial Antarctica;James Ross Island
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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