The mechanics of basin formation processes of Beacon sediments in south Victoria Land

The Taylor and Victoria Group sediments in south Victoria Land were investigated to determine the mechanics of basin formation processes. Beacon sediments between Mt Metschel in the south and Robinson Peak in the north were examined with exposures in the Skelton Neve to Robinson Peak area examined for facies, paleocurrent and thickness changes. Facies descriptions with thicknesses along with paleocurrent data were obtained from a number of localities on Mt Metschel, Portal Mountain, Mt Crean, Pivot Peak, Mt Fleming, Mt Bastion and Robinson Peak to provide information on ancient paleoslope direction and basin subsidence. Detailed descriptions of Pivot Coal Measures made at Pivot Peak for comparisons of Devonian sediments with widespread Permian Weller Coal Measures was completed. Vertical and lateral sample suits were collected and these were used to study the effects of Ferrar Dolerite on carbon:sulphur ratios and to examine the suitability of carbon sulphur geochemistry as a paleosalinity indicator of Beacon rocks. Extensive paleocurrent and facies analysis was conducted on exposures of Lashly A, where fining upwards cycles are preserved with low sinuosity channels. This study aimed to answer two questions: Where was the Beacon basin in relation to the continental margin and what processes were driving basin development? Furthermore, a comparison of the Pivot and Wellar Coal Measures was conducted and a reinterpretation of Lashly A sediments was completed. The work also concentrated on the modelling the processes that deposited the upper Wellar Coal Measures, Feather Conglomerate and the Lashly Formation to provide a fluvial model to explain the occurrence of sheet sandstone in apparently measndering sequences.