Geological mapping and analysis of granitoid basement rocks near the Carlyon Glacier and Brown Hills area to determine the tectonic environment during the Ross Orogeny

The rocks in South Victoria Land have a different character that is more compatible with crustal extension rather than subduction and continental convergence and were termed the Koettlitz Glacier Alkaline Province (KGAP).

The nature and distribution of the KGAP was investigated south of the Skelton Glacier at Cheney Bluff, Fontain Bluff and in the Brown Hills area. Each area was geologically mapped and samples of granitoids were collected for geochemical and geochronological analysis. Near the Foggydog Glacier in the Brown Hills area, the basement granitoids, the overlying Beacon Supergroup sandstones and intrusive sills of the Ferrar group dolerties were mapped.