Jurassic–Tertiary stratigraphy and palynology of the James Ross Basin: review and introduction

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Pirrie, D., Duane, A.M., Riding, J.B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1992
• Subjects: Geology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Oceanography; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Ross Island; Antarc*; Antarctic Science; Antarctica; James Ross Island
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102092000427; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102092000427

A sedimentary sequence, c. 5–6 km thick, extending from the Kimmeridgian–Upper Eocene crops out in the James Ross Island area, northern Antarctic Peninsula. This succession is the most important onshore Late Cretaceous–Tertiary sequence in Antarctica and is probably one of the most significant Cretaceous sequences in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the understanding of the geological and palaeontological evolution of the area has been limited by an incomplete knowledge of the biostratigraphy of this region. Palynological studies are providing a finer resolution biostratigraphical zonation scheme than previously possible. This paper reviews the stratigraphy of the basin fill succession and provides a framework for the papers published in this Special Issue.