Landform evolution in the Marine Plain region, Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica

Abstract

Landforms of Marine Plain in the Vestfold Hills contrast with those of most in the Vestfold Hills. They include consistent land surfaces at 40+ m and 25 m, characteristics controlled by orientation of rock features, and imprints of phases of glaciation, deglaciation and marine and freshwater inundation. The 40+ m surface is widespread in the Vestfold Hills and has been noted previously. The 25 m level was an earlier coastline, is more localized and marked by water rounded boulders; it serves to differentiate clearly between two terrains of different relief and erratic distribution. The Pliocene sedimentary rocks below the 25 m level have been dislocated, probably during an interval of glaciotectonism caused by northward movement of sediments under an ice load due to northern extension of the Sørsdal Glacier or expansion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet some time after the mid-Pliocene. Soil development is active. These features are accompanied by the normal aspects of a glaciated landscape such as glacial striations, sand wedges, erratics, and patterned ground. Wind has been important in transporting sand and developing honeycomb weathering on exposed rock faces.

Submarine geomorphology and sea floor processes along the coast of Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica, from multibeam bathymetry and video data

“…This block forms an elevated plateau surrounded by deep troughs to the south and west, and probably deeper but more gently sloping bedrock to the north and east, though information on subice topography in these areas is limited. The Cenozoic geology and geomorphology of the Vestfold Hills have been extensively studied (Pickard 1982, Adamson & Pickard 1986a, 1986b, Fitzsimmons 1991, 1996, Gore et al 2003, Quilty 2006. The overall picture is one of east-west to WSW-ENE trending valleys, floored with sediments and containing lakes.…”

“…The Cenozoic geology and geomorphology of the Vestfold Hills have been extensively studied (Pickard 1982, Adamson & Pickard 1986a, 1986b, Fitzsimmons 1991, 1996, Gore et al . 2003, Quilty 2006). The overall picture is one of east–west to WSW–ENE trending valleys, floored with sediments and containing lakes.…”

Penguin occupation in the Vestfold Hills

“…More than 80% of the total seabirds in Prydz Bay inhabit these hills, and Adélie penguins ( Pygoscelis acleliae (Hombron & Jacquinot)) are the major component of the Prydz Bay avifauna that inhabit the western coastal islands (Montague 1988, Woehler et al 1989, Woehler & Johnstone 1991). In the past decades, many palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental records have been reconstructed for the Vestfold Hills (Adamson & Pickard 1986, Bird et al 1991, Fitzsimons & Domack 1993, Roberts & McMinn 1998, 1999, Zwartz et al 1998, Roberts et al 2001, Quilty 2006), but the palaeoecology of penguins in this area remains unknown.…”