Last glaciation of Vestfold Hills: extension of the East Antarctic ice sheet or lateral expansion of Sørsdal Glacier?

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Author: Gore, D.B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1997
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Antarctic; Vestfold Hills; East Antarctic Ice Sheet; Vestfold; Sørsdal Glacier; Antarc*; Ice Sheet; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s003224740001411x; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S003224740001411X

Abstract Opinions are divided as to whether the area of Vestfold Hills was formerly covered by the East Antarctic ice sheet or S0rsdal Glacier. Striae orientations have been used to erect the model of extension of the ice sheet followed by a minor lateral expansion of Sørsdal Glacier, while basal till fabrics; distribution of weathered rock; and the nature, orientation, and distribution of moraines have been used to conclude that lateral expansion of Sørsdal Glacier alone can explain the evidence of the last glaciation of Vestfold Hills. A review of all available data supports the model of regional glaciation by an extended East Antarctic ice sheet. Lateral expansion of Sørsdal Glacier has probably only played a minor role in the glaciation of Vestfold Hills since the regional glaciation.