Earth Science Research Objectives: Central and Southern Transantarctic Mountains

• Main Authors: Elliot, David H., Collinson, James W., Hammer, William R.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University. 1998
• Subjects: Transantarctic Mountains; Antarctica; Earth sciences > Antarctica; Antarc*; antartic*; Polar Research
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1811/49063

The workshop on the Central and Southern Transantarctic Mountains was convened to assess the important geological objectives that might be addressed by concentrating logistic support at a limited number of sites. The general goal of the workshop was to identify the primary science objectives in the various fields of geology and geophysics, and establish a possible scenario of fieldwork so as to meet those objectives. In part, the workshop can be viewed as an implementation plan for one component of the report stemming from the workshop on Geodynamic Evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains and West Antartic Rift System. Four general areas of research provided the initial focus for discussion of compelling problems and where to address them. Group reports and abstracts of presentations are included in this report as appendices. Groups addressed tectonics and structure; Gondwana stratigraphy and paleontology; Cenozoic history; and basement geology. Participants identified six issues of global significance that can be addressed. Workshop participants concluded that compelling science objectives justify seeking major logistic support. Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation Grant OPP 9710357