Radioactivity survey in Antarctica, 1978-1979
- Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence
The 1978-79 season proved to be particularly successful for the Antarctic International Radiometric Survey (AIRS Project), which was based at the Darwin Glacier Camp. We detected a significant radiation anomaly near Touchdown Glacier. The source of radioactivity was found to be thorium-bearing minerals in a placer-type deposit in the Brown Hills conglomerate member of the Windy Gully sandstone. Extensive outcrops of the basement rocks that underlie the Beacon Supergroup were found at the base of Tentacle Ridge. These rocks are mineralized around a number of narrow veins and they are intensely weathered below the contact with the overlying Beacon Supergroup. As the survey was extended south of the head of Byrd Glacier into the area of the Sefton and Zeller glaciers, a complex series of low-grade metamorphic rocks was encountered overlain by Beacon Supergroup sediments. Near the conclusion of airborne survey operations, a flight was made to Butcher Ridge in the northwestern corner of the survey area. A layered intrusive body was discovered that outcrops for nearly 10 kilometers along the east face of the ridge.
- OSTI ID:
- 6795105
- Journal Information:
- Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States), Vol. 14:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ANTARCTICA
AERIAL SURVEYING
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
RADIOMETRIC SURVEYS
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
GLACIERS
THORIUM
URANIUM
ACTINIDES
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ELEMENTS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
POLAR REGIONS
SPECTROMETERS
SURVEYS
510101* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (-1989)