Mineral resources of Antarctica
Metallic and nonmetallic mineral occurrences are abundant in Antarctica. The most significant known deposits are of iron, copper, and coal. In the Precambrian shield of East Antarctica, for example, iron is present as banded iron-formation and as magnetite in veins, pods, and schist. The largest deposits of iron are in the Prince Charles Mountains, where bodies of banded iron-formation at least as thick as 400 m extend, mostly under the ice for at least 120 km. Widely scattered morainal boulders and outcrops of iron-rich rock suggest that undiscovered iron deposits are also distributed over many other parts of East Antarctica. Gondwana reconstructions suggest that many more mineral deposits occur in Antarctica. However, ice covers nearly 98 percent of the continent, and few of the bedrock areas have even been prospected or geologically, geophysically, or geochemically mapped in detail.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Washington, DC (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USGS
- OSTI ID:
- 6501568
- Report Number(s):
- N-84-23937
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Full paper part of USGS-CIRC-909, Petroleum and mineral resources of Antarctica
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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