Relative sea level curves for the South Shetland Islands and Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

AbstractThe Bransfield Strait, located between the South Shetland Islands and the north-western end of the Antarctic Peninsula, is a back-arc basin transitional between rifting and spreading. We compiled a geomorphological structural map of the Bransfield Basin combining published data and the interpretation of bathymetric images. Several analogue experiments reproducing the interaction between the Scotia, Antarctic, and Phoenix plates were carried out. The fault configuration observed in the geomorphological structural map was well reproduced by one of these analogue models. The results suggest the establishment of a transpressional regime to the west of the southern segment of the Shackleton Fracture Zone and a transtensional regime to the south-west of the South Scotia Ridge by at least c. 7 Ma. A probable mechanism for the opening of the Bransfield Basin requires two processes: 1) Significant transtensional effects in the Bransfield Basin caused by the configuration and drift vector of the Scotia Plate after the activity of the West Scotia Ridge ceased at c. 7 Ma. 2) Roll-back of the Phoenix Plate under the South Shetland Islands after cessation of spreading activity of the Phoenix Ridge at 3.3 ± 0.2 Ma, causing the north-westward migration of the South Shetland Trench.

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Holocene isostatic uplift of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, modelled from raised beaches

Quaternary Science Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.04.006 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 29 (15-16) ◽

pp. 1880-1893 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

P.T. Fretwell ◽

D.A. Hodgson ◽

E.P. Watcham ◽

M.J. Bentley ◽

S.J. Roberts

Keyword(s):

Antarctic Peninsula ◽

South Shetland Islands ◽

The South ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

Isostatic Uplift ◽

Raised Beaches

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Relative sea-level history of Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula derived from optically stimulated luminescence-dated beach cobbles

Quaternary Science Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.07.027 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 77 ◽

pp. 141-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Lauren M. Simkins ◽

Alexander R. Simms ◽

Regina DeWitt

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Antarctic Peninsula ◽

Optically Stimulated Luminescence ◽

Relative Sea Level ◽

Marguerite Bay ◽

History Of

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Variations in ice rafted detritus on beaches in the South Shetland Islands: a possible climate proxy

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102004002147 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 339-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

BRENDA L. HALL ◽

ETHAN R. PERRY

Keyword(s):

Antarctic Peninsula ◽

Ocean Circulation ◽

Late Holocene ◽

Warming Trend ◽

South Shetland Islands ◽

The South ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

Livingston Island ◽

The Antarctic ◽

Glacial Advance

Raised beach ridges on Livingston Island of the South Shetland Islands display variations in both quantity and source of ice rafted detritus (IRD) received over time. Whereas the modern beach exhibits little IRD, all of which is of local origin, the next highest beach (∼250 14C yr BP) has large amounts, some of which comes from as far away as the Antarctic Peninsula. Significant quantities of IRD also were deposited ∼1750 14C yr BP. Both time periods coincide with generally cooler regional conditions and, at least in the case of the ∼250 yr old beach, local glacial advance. We suggest that the increases in ice rafting may reflect periods of greater glacial activity, altered ocean circulation, and/or greater iceberg preservation during the late Holocene. Limited IRD and lack of far-travelled erratics on the modern beach are both consistent with the ongoing warming trend in the Antarctic Peninsula region.

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