Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Ellsworth mountains: Position in West Antarctica due to sea-floor spreading

January 1, 1969

Similarities of middle and upper Paleozoic deposits of the Ellsworth Mountains with those of the Pensacola, Horlick, and other Transantarctic mountains indicate that all these ranges may have had a related geologic history. A tentative explanation is now suggested which involves sea-floor spreading and translocation of the Ellsworth crustal block from its original location adjacent to the East Antarctic Shield. Accordingly, the islands of West Antarctica may differ in origin and the Transantarctic Mountains of East Antarctica may represent one margin of an ancient rift.

Publication Year 1969
Title Ellsworth mountains: Position in West Antarctica due to sea-floor spreading
Authors J.M. Schopf
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70010498
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse