Modern surface sediments and non-deposition in Ellis Fjord, eastern Antarctica

• Published in: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: McMinn, A, Bloxham, JJ, Whitehead, J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Blackwell Scientific 1998
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Geology; Sedimentology; Ellis Fjord; Vestfold; Vestfold Hills; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/08120099808728419; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/13858

Ellis Fjord is a small, fjord-like marine embayment in the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica. Modern sediment input is dominated by a biogenic diatom rain, although aeolian, fluvial, ice-rafted, slumped and tidal sediments also make a minor contribution. In areas where bioturbation is significant relict glaciogenic sediments are reworked into the fine-grained diatomaceous sediments to produce poorly sorted fine sands and silts. Where the bottom waters are anoxic, sediments remain unbioturbated and have a high biogenic silica component. Three depositional and non-depositional facies can be recognised in the fjord: an area of non-deposition around the shoreline; a relict morainal facies in areas of low sedimentation and high bioturbation; and a basinal facies in the deeper areas of the fjord.