Geological examination and sampling of Devonian Aztec Siltstone, the fish bearing red bed sequence and Permian coal measures for pollen and coal rank studies

Sections of Aztec siltstone at Mt Metschel, in the Alligator Peak area, Shapeless Mountain, Mount Fleming, the Lashly Mountains and Aztec Mountain were examined and sampled on a very detailed scale for petrographic and chemical analysis. Careful observations were made of specific sedimentological phenomena (i.e. nodules, intraformational conglomerates, mudcracks and ripple marks). The relationships between colour of beds and sedimentary features (e.g. burrows and vein networks and the changes in bedding characteristics in both vertical and lateral directions) was also studied. Units considered to be fossil soil hoizons were studied and photographed and were sampled in both vertical and horizontal directions for changes in chemical composition indicative of former soil processes. Further red beds from formations lower in the Taylor Group were examined and sampled at Rotunda. They were found to differ considerable from those of the Aztec siltstone. Suitable massive units of the Aztec siltone were selected for paleomagnetic sampling. Detailed sampling of Permian sandstones and siltstones for palynological study was carried out at Shapeless Mountain and the Lashly Mountains. The microfloral assemblages from these samples will be compared with the Australian Permian palynological zonal scheme in order to set up a Permian-Triassic zonal scheme for the Victoria Group in south Victoria Land. Coal samples from the Permian coal measures at Mt Fleming and the Lashly Mountains were collected for analysis and the mode of occurrence of the coal beds and the nature of their associated sediments was studied in the above localities.