RUI: The Transition from Subduction to Extensional Magmatism in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica

This project is a field and laboratory based investigation of the Vanda dike swarm in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. These dikes crosscut Cambro-Ordovician granitoid plutons produced during the Ross Orogeny, and mark the transition between the cessation of subduction and the onset of extensional magmatism. Many dying convergent plate margins convert to extensional magmatism, and the Dry Valleys provide a magnificent opportunity to examine the shallow roots of a plate that experienced this transition. Because of their exceptional exposure, bimodal felsic and mafic compositions, and complex field relations, the Vanda dikes have the potential to reveal insights into this important phase of Antarctic tectonic history. The broader impacts include collaboration between a primarily undergraduate and two research institutions, and support for undergraduate participation in an exciting, field-based research project.