CASERTZ aeromagnetic data reveal late Cenozoic flood basalts(?) in the West Antarctic rift system

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1994 CASERTZ aeromagnetic data reveal late Cenozoic flood basalts(?) in the West Antarctic rift system John C. Behrendt; John C. Behrendt 1U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Donald D. Blankenship; Donald D. Blankenship 2Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carol A. Finn; Carol A. Finn 3U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robin E. Bell; Robin E. Bell 4Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ronald E. Sweeney; Ronald E. Sweeney 3U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steven M. Hodge; Steven M. Hodge 5U.S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington 98416 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John M. Brozena John M. Brozena 6Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information John C. Behrendt 1U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Donald D. Blankenship 2Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Carol A. Finn 3U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Denver, Colorado 80225 Robin E. Bell 4Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Ronald E. Sweeney 3U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Denver, Colorado 80225 Steven M. Hodge 5U.S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington 98416 John M. Brozena 6Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1994) 22 (6): 527–530. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0527:CADRLC>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation John C. Behrendt, Donald D. Blankenship, Carol A. Finn, Robin E. Bell, Ronald E. Sweeney, Steven M. Hodge, John M. Brozena; CASERTZ aeromagnetic data reveal late Cenozoic flood basalts(?) in the West Antarctic rift system. Geology 1994;; 22 (6): 527–530. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0527:CADRLC>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The late Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic activity of the enigmatic West Antarctic rift system, the least understood of the great active continental rifts, has been suggested to be plume driven. In 1991-1992, as part of the CASERTZ (Corridor Aerogeophysics of the Southeast Ross Transect Zone) program, an ∼25000 km aeromagnetic survey over the ice-covered Byrd subglacial basin shows magnetic "texture" critical to interpretations of the underlying extended volcanic terrane. The aeromagnetic data reveal numerous semicircular anomalies ∼100-1100 nT in amplitude, interpreted as having volcanic sources at the base of the ice sheet; they are concentrated along north-trending magnetic lineations interpreted as rift fabric. Models constrained by coincident radar ice soundings indicate highly magnetic sources, with a probable high remanent magnetization in the present field direction, strongly suggesting a late Cenozoic age. Magnetic anomalies over exposed late Cenozoic volcanic rocks along part of the rift shoulder and in coastal Marie Byrd Land are similar in form and amplitude. The CASERTZ aeromagnetic results, combined with >100 000 km of widely spaced aeromagnetic profiles, indicate at least 106 km3 of probable late Cenozoic volcanic rock (flood basalt?) in the West Antarctic rift beneath the ice sheet and Ross Ice Shelf. Comparison with other plumes in active rift areas (e.g., Yellowstone and East Africa) indicates that this volume estimate lies in the range of magma generation found in these other low-extension continental rifts. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.