Topographical and geological mapping and investigations of the areas around the Holyoake, Cobham, Swithinbank and Queen Elizabeth Ranges

Previous mapping of the Miller Range (1961-1962) and the Holyoake Range (60-61) resulted in a generalized stratigraphy for the region but comparisons were tentative as the rock sequences were completely different. The unexplored region of the Holyoake, Cobham and the Geologist Ranges, to the north of the Nimrod Glacier and the western Queen Elizabeth Ranges to the south of the Nimrod Glacier were geologically investigated and mapped to determine the relationship of PreCambrian metasediments to the Goldie Formation and the Cambrian limestone, the relationship of the Goldie Formation to the Cambrian limestones, the stratigraphy of the Shackleton limestone, the nature and genesis of large scale disharmonic folds occurring at Cambrian Bluff and elsewhere on the Holyoake Range, the stratigraphy of Beacon Group rocks in the area and to correlate them with those described for the Beardmore Glacier region and where possible, collect fossils from the limestone and create a catalogue. The sites visited included the Laird plateau, Mt Hayter, the Cobham Range, Frustration Ridge, Prince Phillip Glacier, Mt Kopere, Cambrain Bluff, Holyoake Range, Mt Hunt, south portion of the Swithinbank Range and areas around the Starshot Glacier, southern side of the Nimrod Glacier, Queen Elizabeth Range, Marsh Glacier, all the ridges off the Cotton Plateau and all the outcrops on either side of the Princess Anne Glacier. Running concurrently with this project, topographical surveying was completed around the Geologist Range as far south as Quest Nunatak and Maidenform Nunatak.