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Glacial removal of late Cenozoic subglacially emplaced volcanic edifices by the West Antarctic ice sheet

Geology
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<1111:GROLCS>2.3.CO;2

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Abstract

Local maxima of the horizontal gradient of pseudogravity from closely spaced aeromagnetic surveys over the Ross Sea, northwestern Ross Ice Shelf, and the West Antarctic ice sheet, reveal a linear magnetic rift fabric and numerous subcircular, high-amplitude anomalies. Geophysical data indicate two or three youthful volcanic edifices at widely separated areas beneath the sea and ice cover in the West Antarctic rift system. In contrast, we suggest glacial removal of edifices of volcanic sources of many more anomalies. Magnetic models, controlled by marine seismic reflection and radar ice-sounding data, allow us to infer that glacial removal of the associated late Cenozoic volcanic edifices (probably debris, comprising pillow breccias, and hyaloclastites) has occurred essentially concomitantly with their subglacial eruption. "Removal' of unconsolidated volcanic debris erupted beneath the ice is probably a more appropriate term than "erosion', given its fragmented, ice-contact origin. The exposed volcanoes may have been protected from erosion by the surrounding ice sheet because of more competent rock or high elevation above the ice sheet. -from Authors
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Glacial removal of late Cenozoic subglacially emplaced volcanic edifices by the West Antarctic ice sheet
Series title Geology
DOI 10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<1111:GROLCS>2.3.CO;2
Volume 23
Issue 12
Year Published 1995
Language English
Publisher GeoScienceWorld
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 1111
Last page 1114
Other Geospatial Ross Sea
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