Glacially related and bottom current controlled sedimentation processes on the West Antarctic continental margin - Interpretations derived from seismic reflection investigations

Abstract

The advances and retreats of grounded ice on the Antarctic continental shelf during glacial-interglacial cycles led to the deposition of large sediment deposits. Depositional patterns on the continental slope and rise reflect interactions between the effects of ice sheet fluctuations, mass transport processes and bottom currents. The central element of this thesis is the study of the late Cenozoic glacial history of the South Pacific continental margin of West Antarctica by interpreting the record of marine sediments there, with focus on the sedimentary successions of the outer continental shelf, slope and rise. The thesis presents the results of seismic stratigraphic analyses of multi-channel and single channel seismic reflection profiles collected on the continental margin during the course of several cruises since 1986. Seismic stratigraphic patterns are interpreted with reference to recent sedimentation models in order to differentiate between pre-glacial and glacially-influenced sediment units.