The Ferrar Dolerite intrusives of Terra Cotta Mountain, McMurdo Dry Valleys

The Ferrar Dolerite Group intrusives exposed on the north face of Terra Cotta Mountain on the Upper Taylor Glacier was studied in detail and then expanded to a more regional scale. The work was an important detailed follow up to earlier reconnaissance mapping. Samples were collected through the large exposed horizontal sill for geochemical investigation into the mechanisms of crystallization of this sill. Samples were collected across the 'mega' - dike investigating structural problems and basement geology. Samples were also collected from the dike-swarm and the cross cutting relationships were studied in an attempt to determine the relative timing of injection of the dikes and therefore create an intrusive history.