EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TRANSANTARCTIC MOUNTAINS
Proceedings of a Workshop
September 1997
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002 U.S.A.
Conveners
David H. Elliot and James W. Collinson
Department of Geological Sciences and Byrd Polar Research Center
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
William R. Hammer
Department of Geology, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
1998
Compiled in 1998 by the
BYRD POLAR RESEARCH CENTER
This report may be cited as:
Elliot, D.H., J.W. Collinson, and W.R. Hammer (Conveners). 1998. Earth Science Research Objectives: Central and Southern Transantarctic Mountains. Proceedings of a Workshop. BPRC Miscellaneous Report No. M-402, Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 78 pages.
The Byrd Polar Research Center Report Series is edited by Lynn Tipton-Everett.
Copies of this and other publications of the Byrd Polar Research Center are available from:
Publication Distribution Program
Byrd Polar Research Center
The Ohio State University
1090 Carmack Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002
Telephone: 614-292-6715
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The workshop was supported by the Antarctic Geology and Geophysics program of the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation (OPP 9710357). The conveners wish to acknowledge the participation of many scientists and the efforts of the group leaders in preparing the group reports. Lynn Tipton-Everett helped in the preparation of this report and Lynn Lay checked many of the references. Maps are by Jeanne Jaros.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The workshop on the Central and Southern Transantarctic Mountains was convened to assess the important geological objectives that might be addressed by concentrating logistic support at a limited number of sites. The general goal of the workshop was to identify the primary science objectives in the various fields of geology and geophysics, and establish a possible scenario of fieldwork so as to meet those objectives. In part, this workshop can be viewed as an implementation plan for one component of the report stemming from the workshop on Geodynamic Evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains and West Antarctic Rift System.
Thirty two geologists and geophysicists attended the workshop. Four general areas of research provided the initial focus for discussion of compelling problems and where to address them. Group Reports and Abstracts of presentations are included as Appendices. Groups addressed Tectonics and Structure; Gondwana Stratigraphy and Paleontology; Cenozoic History; and Basement Geology. As a result of workshop discussions, participants identified six issues of global significance that can be addressed in the central and southern Transantarctic Mountains:
* Laurentia-Gondwana rift history and early Paleozoic intercontinental correlations
* Biotic evolution and paleoclimates at high latitudes
* Magmatism and continental break-up processes
* Geodynamic evolution of continental rifts
* Landscape evolution in polar regions
* Evolution of Cenozoic glaciation
Workshop participants concluded that compelling science objectives justify seeking major logistic support. Therefore, individual investigators and groups of investigators will submit Letters of Intent, which will include brief summaries of proposed science, scale of logistics, preferred field years, and associated or related science projects. Following on from these expressed interests, the recommendations are:
* The Office of Polar Programs announce that opportunities exist for helicopter-supported field research at remote locations.
* The Office of Polar Programs encourage individual investigators and groups of investigators to submit proposals utilizing such support and other appropriate logistics for remote field locations.
Figure 1. Generalized setting of the Transantarctic Mountains and the West Antarctic Rift System. Diagonal pattern indicates the region that would lie below sea level following deglaciation and isostatic rebound. Solid black represents areas of rock exposure. TM - Thiel Mountains; EM - Ellsworth Mountains. Elongate box marks the geological-geophysical transect recommended by previous reports.
Converted 9/3/98