This study aims to establish the timing of the formation of the Terra Nova IntrusiveComplex (TNIC), located in Terra Nova Bay, northern Victoria Land, Antarctica.
The TNIC is paleogeographically situated inland of the Wilson Terrane of northernVictori...
This study aims to establish the timing of the formation of the Terra Nova IntrusiveComplex (TNIC), located in Terra Nova Bay, northern Victoria Land, Antarctica.
The TNIC is paleogeographically situated inland of the Wilson Terrane of northernVictoria Land and was formed during the Paleozoic Ross Orogeny. This studyobtained and compiled sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon U-Pb agesfor five intrusive bodies in the south-central part of the TNIC. The results clarify theformation age (about 530-470 Ma) of the TNIC and the interrelationships among thevarious intrusive units, especially those in the south-central region. The ConfusionIntrusive Unit was emplaced at 520-515 Ma. The Russell Gabbro intruded into theConfusion Intrusive Unit at 501±3 Ma. Approximately at the same time (about 500Ma), the Vegetation Intrusive Unit formed, followed by the Abbott Intrusive Unit atabout 485 Ma. These findings provide valuable data for interpreting the geologicaldevelopment of the Antarctic Continent and the evolutionary history of the RossOrogeny.