Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Tectonic history of mid-Miocene to present southern Victoria Land Basin, inferred from seismic stratigraphy in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

January 1, 2007

New and existing seismic reflection data in southern McMurdo Sound have been used to investigate
Neogene tectonic history of the Terror Rift adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains and along the western margin of the West Antarctic Rift System. Seismic data image a young rifting episode that is largely unsampled by CRP and CIROS drill holes. Data reveal up to 3.5 km of post middle Miocene strata deposited in this part of the NNW-
SSE trending Terror Rift basin. Mapped fault trends in the southern Terror Rift parallel the axis of the basin and are
prominent in a 40 km wide zone north of Ross Island. Displacement on individual faults in this zone can exceed 100
m and faults collectively accommodate approximately 10-15 km of middle Miocene to recent extension.

Publication Year 2007
Title Tectonic history of mid-Miocene to present southern Victoria Land Basin, inferred from seismic stratigraphy in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071047SRP049
Authors S. Henrys, T. Wilson, J.M. Whittaker, C. Fielding, J. Hall, T. Naish
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2007-1047-SRP-049
Index ID ofr20071047SRP049
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse