Investigations of the geology of the Beaumont Bay/Byrd Glacier area, South Victoria Land

The geology of the Beaumont Bay/Byrd Glacier was investigated between the Byrd Glacier in the north and Mount Nares and Cape Parr in the south. The physiology and glaciology of the region was described. Five major time-rock units are present in this area including the Ross System (Cambrian-Pre Cambrian), Granite Harbour intrusives (Lower Palaeozoic), Beacon Group and Ferrar Dolerties (Upper Mesozoic to Upper Devonian) and soils and moraine from recent deposition. In the Ross System, five rock units were described: 1) Slates, 2) Conglomerates, 3) Siltstone/sandstone, hornfel, 4) Limestone marble and 5) Hornfels, schist, siltstone/sandstone, argillite. No large granite bodies were exposed between Cape Selbourne and Cape Parr but evidence to suggest one or more plutons exists is described. Two exposures of the Beacon system were described at the North ridges of Mt Egerton and the main peak due West. Most Beacon sediments occur at heights greater than 8000ft and are therefore not often accessible. Only one Ferrar Dolerite Sill was visited on Mt Egerton and little was seen of recent moraine except small deposits on the Byrd Glacier. The stratigraphic relationship of each rock unit, their location, deposition and deformation (faulting structure) are described