Geological investigations (locations, descriptions, chemical and petrographic analysis) of the coal seams in the Upper Wright Valley

The presence of coal seams in the Permian strata and to a lesser extent in the Mesozoic sequences in the vicinity of the Upper Wright Valley, South Victoria Land were investigated. Detailed geological investigations of the coal occurrences were particularly aimed at the Permian coals as some seams in excess of 2m had previously been recorded. The objective of the study was to locate the coal outcrops and to describe in detail the coaly material. Where appropriate, the coal was sampled for chemical and petrographic analysis in such a way that the analyses were representative of the sampled section. The Weller Coal measures of Permian age were found to be well exposed on the slopes of Mt Fleming and Shapeless Mountain. Except for a 2.52m thick seam discovered on the south side of Shapeless Mountain, all of the coal seams examined were heat affected and the coal appeared to have a high ash content. A total of 12 seams were sampled for chemical and petrographic analysis. A previously unrecorded outcrop of Weller Coal measures was located near the top of Mt Electra, beneath the small knoll of Ferrar Dolerite.