Geological and Geophysical Studies in the Ford Ranges of Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica

本项目的研究目标是确定 美国西部玛丽伯德地（MBL）的福特山脉的历史 南极洲 MBL中的事件可能与 晚白垩世前后的冈瓦纳太平洋边缘 裂谷 南极洲西部被描述为 显然与每一个都密切相关的微孔板 其他和南极自侏罗纪; MBL的关系，这些 这段时间的微孔板不太清楚。 强烈 Fosdick山脉的变质岩石可能是 一个变质核杂岩，形成于 冈瓦纳太平洋边缘。 在项目的第一年， 来自福斯迪克和菲利普斯山脉的现有岩石组合 被研究。 此外，科学家还将分析卫星 为实地测绘作准备的图像。 两个赛季， 计划好了 地质制图、岩石学地质年代学，以及 将进行古地磁研究，并将提供数据 重建玛丽伯德地的构造演化

The research goal of this project is to determine the tectonic history of the Ford Ranges in Marie Byrd Land (MBL), West Antarctica. Events in MBL may relate to the tectonics of the Gondwana Pacific margin prior to and following Late Cretaceous rifting. Western Antarctica has been described as a collage of microplates which apparently have been closely related to each other and Antarctica since Jurassic; the relation of MBL to these microplates for this time period is less clear. Strongly metamorphosed rocks in the Fosdick Mountains may be the center of a metamorphic core complex formed during the rifting of the Gondwana Pacific margin. During the first project year, an existing rock suite from the Fosdick and Phillips mountains will be studied. In addition, scientists will analyze satellite imagery preparatory to field mapping. Two field seasons are planned. Geologic mapping, petrology geochronology, and paleomagnetic studies will be conducted, and will provide data needed to reconstruct a tectonic evolution of Marie Byrd Land.