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Marginal marine depositional setting and correlation of the Devonian Sperm Bluff Formation (Taylor Group), southern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2013

Jeni E. Savage ,
Margaret A. Bradshaw  and
Kari N. Bassett
Jeni E. Savage
Affiliation:
Tropicana Anglogold Ashanti, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6805, Australia
Margaret A. Bradshaw*
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Kari N. Bassett
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author: Margaret.bradshaw@canterbury.ac.nz
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Abstract

Analysis of conglomerates and sandstones of the Sperm Bluff Formation at the base of the Taylor Group (Devonian) between the Mackay Glacier and Bull Pass provides new insights into the nature of initial coarse-grained deposition on basement along the northern side of the McMurdo sedimentary basin. Six lithofacies are recognized in the Sperm Bluff Formation: conglomerate lithofacies, pebbly sandstone lithofacies, cross-bedded sandstone lithofacies, low-angle cross-stratified sandstone lithofacies, bioturbated sandstone lithofacies and interbedded siltstone/sandstone lithofacies. Sedimentary environments ranged from wave-dominated delta, estuary or lagoon to shoreface and inner shelf. The assemblage is thought to reflect changes in sea level. Rhyolite is the most abundant clast type in the coarse lithofacies, but is unknown in outcrop in southern Victoria Land. The rhyolites correlate in age and geochemistry with Cambrian granites in the basement. Coarse beds also contain numerous quartzite clasts, probably derived from the late Precambrian Skelton Group. Palaeocurrents on Mount Suess indicate a strong unimodal flow to the west, but other sites show polymodal palaeoflow. The Sperm Bluff Formation is correlated with Terra Cotta Siltstone, New Mountain Sandstone and Altar Mountain formations based on the lithology of sandstones and their ichnology. A northward onlap during the Early Devonian is indicated.

Keywords

conglomeratesprovenancesandstonestrace fossilswave-dominated delta
Type
Earth Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 25 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 767 - 790
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2013 

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