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Chrono- and lithostratigraphy of a Mesozoic–Tertiary fore- to intra-arc basin: Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2011

TEAL R. RILEY ,
MICHAEL J. FLOWERDEW  and
MARTIN J. WHITEHOUSE
TEAL R. RILEY*
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
MICHAEL J. FLOWERDEW
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
MARTIN J. WHITEHOUSE
Affiliation:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm 104 05, Sweden
*
†Author for correspondence: t.riley@bas.ac.uk
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Abstract

The Mesozoic fore-arc of the Antarctic Peninsula is exposed along its west coast. On Adelaide Island, a 2–3 km succession of turbiditic coarse sandstones and volcanic rocks is exposed. Four U–Pb (zircon) ages are presented here that, in combination with a new stratigraphy, have permitted a robust chrono- and lithostratigraphy to be constructed, which in turn has allowed tentative correlations to be made with the Fossil Bluff Group of Alexander Island, where the ‘type’ fore-arc sequences are described. The lithostratigraphy of Adelaide Island includes the definition of five volcanic/sedimentary formations. The oldest formation is the Buchia Buttress Formation (149.5 ± 1.6 Ma) and is correlated with the Himalia Ridge Formation of Alexander Island. The sandstone–conglomerate dominated succession of the Milestone Bluff Formation (113.9 ± 1.2 Ma) is tentatively correlated with the Pluto Glacier Formation of Alexander Island. Three dominantly volcanic formations are recognized on Adelaide Island, akin to the volcanic rocks of the Alexander Island Volcanic Group; the Mount Liotard Formation is formed of 2 km of basaltic andesite lavas, whilst the Bond Nunatak Formation is also dominated by basaltic andesite lavas, but interbedded with volcaniclastic rocks. The Reptile Ridge Formation has been dated at 67.6 ± 0.7 Ma and is characterized by hydrothermally altered rhyolitic crystal-lithic tuffs. Tentative correlations between Adelaide Island and Alexander Island preclude the two areas forming part of distinct terranes as has been suggested previously, and a proximal source for volcaniclastic sediments also indicates an exotic terrane origin is unlikely.

Keywords

fore-arcGondwanasubductionchronostratigraphyAntarcticaJurassicCretaceous
Type
Original Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 149 , Issue 5 , September 2012 , pp. 768 - 782
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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