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Aitken_2014_Wilkes_Land.pdf (9.25 MB)

The subglacial geology of Wilkes Land, East Antarctica

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 01:28 authored by Aitken, A, Young, D, Ferraccioli, F, Betts, P, Greenbaum, J, Richter, T, Jason RobertsJason Roberts, Blankenship, D, Siegert, M
Wilkes Land is a key region for studying the configuration of Gondwana and for appreciating the role of tectonic boundary conditions on East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) behavior. Despite this importance, it remains one of the largest regions on Earth where we lack a basic knowledge of geology. New magnetic, gravity, and subglacial topography data allow the region's first comprehensive geological interpretation. We map lithospheric domains and their bounding faults, including the suture between Indo-Antarctica and Australo-Antarctica. Furthermore, we image subglacial sedimentary basins, including the Aurora and Knox Subglacial Basins and the previously unknown Sabrina Subglacial Basin. Commonality of structure in magnetic, gravity, and topography data suggest that pre-EAIS tectonic features are a primary control on subglacial topography the preservation of this relationship after glaciation suggests that these tectonic features provide topographic and basal boundary conditions that have strongly influenced the structure and evolution of the EAIS. Key Points Wilkes Land geology is comprehensively characterized for the first time New and known continent-scale faults and sedimentary basins are defined These major tectonic features define current subglacial topography © 2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

41

Issue

7

Pagination

2390-2400

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 American Geophysical Union

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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