Structural evolution of northern Walcott Bay, South Victoria Land, Antarctica

Extensive field mapping was carried out in the Hidden Valley area to extend the mapping undertaken in previous years. Several samples were collected and were used to determine the geochemical and structural relations of the various granitoid bodies and metasediments in the Walcott Bay area.
The research involved:
a) detailed geochemical investigations of the apparent spatial relationship between the homogenous biotite granite and the diorite and gabbro bodies in Hidden Valley,
b) examination of garnets within the grey granite, Chancellor Orthogneiss and Koettlitz Group metasediments to identify their origin and significance with respect to the metamorphic history of Walcott Bay and the surrounding regions, and
c) investigation of lithological and structural changes along the sourthern margin of the Bonney Pluton. A field camp was set up at the head of Hidden Valley.
The geology along both sides of the Valley, along the saddle, SW of Hidden Lake, down to Ward Valley, around Hidden Lake, along the ridges NW of Hidden Lake, above the Adams Neve, the small ridge above the Blue Glacier, the ridge SE of camp, along the ridge south of Ward Lake, lower part of Hidden Valley, the saddle SE of camp and the ridges in the Ward Neve was examined and detailed structural and lithological maps were created. Diorites were sampled from the lower end of Hidden Valley. Bonney Pluton and diorites were sampled while walking into the Miers Valley. A second camp was set up at Chancellor Ridge. The geology along chancellor ridge and the area around Armitage Saddle was examined. Samples were collected along the ridge north of camp and from the ridge above the Walcott Glacier. Granite and schists (420 lbs) were sampled and returned to New Zealand. Samples are stored at the University of Otago.