The Ahlmannryggen group, the viddalen formation and the associated igneous rocks in the viddalen area, western droning Maud land, Antarctica

• Main Author: Bredell, Johannes H.
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Pretoria 1976
• Subjects: UCTD; Antarctic; Grunehogna; Ahlmannryggen; Pyramiden; Borgmassivet; Babordsranten; Hogfonna; Kjolrabbane; Nashornet; Tindeklypa; Viddalen; Viddalskollen; Jekselen; Istind; Raudberget; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52551

Nunataks within an area of approximately 3 400 km2 between latitudes 71°50' and 72°35' south and longitudes 1°30' and 4°00' west were mapped geologically by the 12th South African National Antarctic Expedition during the summer of 1971-72. The area is underlain mainly by subhorizontal arenaceous and argillaceous sediments, extensively intruded by thick mafic sills and dykes of Precambrian age. An isolated succession comprising agglomerate, tuff and lava flows with intercalated sediments in its upper part is exposed in the east and south. A new lithostratigraphic subdivision is proposed, based on detailed investigation of field relationships combined with subsequent petrological studies and radiometric age determinations. The oldest rocks in the area belong to the Pyramiden Formation which consists mostly of feldspathic graywacke and siltstone. Correlates of this formation were discovered at Kjolrabbane, Babordsranten and at Nashornet and Viddalskollen. At the latter locality the sequence is subdivided into a Lower Member, 140 m thick, deposited under low-energy, deep-water conditions, and an Upper Member, 250 m thick, which was deposited in shallower water under higher energy conditions . The overlying Grunehogna Formation has the widest distribution of all sedimentary formations in the area and consists of alternating persistent beds of light-coloured arenite and dark-coloured argillite. This succession is conformably overlain by the H6gfonna Formation which is subdivided into a lower, Borgmassivet Member, consisting of feldspathic quartzite, shale and jasper-bearing conglomerate, and an upper, Jekselen Member which consists of calcareous, jasperbearing arenaceous sediments. All the formations mentioned above are assigned to the Ahlmannryggen Group. It is suggested that the Raudberget Formation, which is not exposed in the area investigated, is also included in this Group. The volcanic-sedimentary succession at Tindeklypa and Istind is believed to overlie the Hogfonna Formation conformably and is collectively ...