Over 300 igneous and metamorphic rock clasts were collected from glacial moraines along the Transantarctic Mountains. Laboratory analysis includes petrographic study, U-Pb, O, and Hf isotopic analysis of zircon and monazite to determine ages and compositions. The field work was conducted by a team from the University of Minnesota-Duluth during the 2010-11 Antarctic season.
Use Cases
- Determine rock sample ages by analyzing U-Pb isotopic data from zircon and monazite.
- Model crustal evolution using Hf and O isotopic character from mineral separates.
- Classify rock textures and mineral assemblages from petrographic thin section descriptions.
- Correlate granitoid samples from the Ross Orogen using whole-rock geochemical analysis data.
Strengths
- Petrographic study is complete for over 300 rock samples.
- Analysis includes multiple isotopic systems (U-Pb, O, Hf) on mineral separates.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited to specific glacial moraine sites, not a regional survey.
- Data recency is unclear as the primary field season was in 2010-11.
Provenance
- Source
- University of Minnesota-Duluth, collected under SCIOPS organization.
- Collection Method
- Field collection via helicopter/fixed-wing at ten sites, followed by laboratory petrography and isotopic analysis.
- Time Range
- Field season 2010-11.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Transantarctic Mountains, from Convoy Range to Hatcher Bluffs, between Byrd and Shackleton Glacier inlets.