The physical features and dynamics of Ferrar dolerite dykes and sills within the Allan Hills, Victoria Land

At Allan Hills, dykes and sills are respectively sub-vertical and sub-horizontal magma bodies of fine textured basaltic rock, remnants of the formation of the Ferrar Large Igneous Province when large volumes of magma ascended from the deep mantle source and deposited at the surface level. The structural and physical features of the Ferrar dolerite dykes and sills was investigated at Allan Hills to increase the understanding of the magma flow in this area and magma dynamics in other large igneous provinces. To document the geometry of Ferrar dolerite intrusions in the Allan Hills, ground truth aerial photographs were taken to interpret the distribution of dolerites. Detailed field mapping and sampling was conducted and structural data was collected on selected examples using a compass, detailed field sketches and photographs. Orientated dolerites and host rock samples for geophysical and geochemical analysis were collected to determine magma flow direction.