Examination of fossilized biota, especially barnacles, of the Scallop Hill Formation and Taylor Formation groups to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment

Barnacles are useful in palaeobathymetry and in palaeotemperature studies. However, barnacle plates are elusive in the field, and when fractured may be overlooked by the field geologist. The palaeoecology of Quaternary limestone’s in the Scott Base and McMurdo Sound area was investigated. The biota, especially the barnacles, of the Scallop Hill Formation, Taylor Formation, and any other associated horizons were investigated with the view of reconstructing the palaeoenvironment. The moraines and glacio-fluvial deposits in the Wright Valley (Lower Wright Glacier, Lake Brownworth, Bull Pass, Lake Vanda), the Taylor Valley (Lake Fryxell, Canada Glacier), Brown Peninsula, Cape Royds and White Island were also investigated. The long range dispersal mechanisms active during the Upper Cenozoic were evaluated and detailed paleontological and stratigraphic studies were carried out on areas of Black Island and Brown Peninsula, areas which had not previously been studied.