Geological mapping and geochemical and geochronological analysis of metamorphic basement rocks and the McMurdo volcanics in the Skelton-Glacier and Hoopers Crags area

The Ross Orogeny refers to the collision event when East and West Antarctica met, resulting in subduction with associated deformation, crustal thickening, metamorphism and igneous activity. The nature and extent of regional and contact metamorphism during the Ross Orogeny was investigated in the Skelton-Cocks Glacier and Hooper Crags areas. Units of 'high' grade and 'low' grade metamorphism in the Cocks Formation metasediments of the Cocks Glacier were previously mapped and this investigation focussed on characterising the metamorphic grade more fully and to determine the nature of the contract between these two units. The basement metamorphic rock was geologically mapped and samples were collected to constrain the ages and types of metamorphism in these rocks. The granites that intrude the basement rocks were mapped and sampled also. Geological mapping of the McMurdo volcanics near the Hooper Crags was undertaken to determine the style of eruption and magma types and source. Rock samples were collected for geochemical, petrological and geochronological analysis.