Thermochronologic constraints on Jurassic rift flank denudation in the Thiel Mountains, Antarctica
Open-File Report
2007-1047-SRP-044
By: P.G. Fitzgerald and S.L. Baldwin
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Abstract
The Thiel Mountains are part of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) and occupy a strategic position close
to the East-West Antarctic boundary. They occur in a region of relatively subdued topography distal from high
topography and high relief of most of the TAM adjacent to the West Antarctic rift system. Low-temperature
thermochronology on samples collected from the Reed Ridge granite on the north flank of the Thiel Mountains
constrain the thermal and hence tectonic history. Apatite fission track data plus thermal models indicate cooling from
ca. 165-150 Ma. In conjunction with 40Ar/39Ar K-feldspar data, the results indicate cooling was due to relatively slow
erosional denudation, and not thermal relaxation following Jurassic tholeiitic magmatism. Denudation was most likely
associated with the formation of the Jurassic rift system across Antarctica that marked the initial breakup of Gondwana.
This is the oldest episode of denudation associated with formation of the present day TAM
Suggested Citation
Fitzgerald, P., Baldwin, S., 2007, Thermochronologic constraints on Jurassic rift flank denudation in the Thiel Mountains, Antarctica: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1047-SRP-044, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071047SRP044.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Thermochronologic constraints on Jurassic rift flank denudation in the Thiel Mountains, Antarctica |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2007-1047-SRP-044 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20071047SRP044 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Larger Work Title | Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World--Online Proceedings for the Tenth International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences. Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.--August 26 to September 1, 2007 |
| Other Geospatial | Antarctica |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |