Geological information from Antarctica has so far been published in expedition reports, conference proceedings, and science journals. This information is thus not readily accessible to Earth scientists who are interested, but not directly involved, in Antarctic research. The Geology ofAntarctica bridges this gap with each chapter presenting an authoritative review of a particular aspect of Antarctic geology. The text provides descriptions of all major rock units found in Antarctica, as well as reviews of Antarctic palaeontology, geophysics, petroleum prospects, and mineral resources. Special attention is drawn to the features of Antarctica that are significant from the wider perspectives of globalgeology.

The Ross Orogen of the Transantarctic Mountains is the part of the orogenic system that formed at the Pacific continental margin of present-day Antarctica. According to a recent hypothesis, this continental margin was created by the rifting and subsequent drift of Laurentia from Gondwana. With an unparalleled breadth and depth of information, this book provides a detailed synthesis of the history of the Ross orogen. In doing so, it incorporates classical studies with discussions of the most recent and controversial research from the international community. The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography and a historical chronology of all expeditions that have worked on the Ross orogen in the Transantarctic Mountains, from the first sightings by Ross in 1840 right up to the present day. This review of the Ross orogen of the Transantarctic Mountains will be valuable to all geologists interested in these episodes in the Earth's history, and to researchers of the geology of Antarctica.

This book presents a summary of the geology of the Transantarctic Mountains for Earth scientists who may want to work there or who need an overview of the geologic history of this region. In addition, the properties of the East Antarctic ice sheet and of the meteorites that accumulate on its surface are treated in separate chapters. The presentation ends with the Cenozoic glaciation of the Transantarctic Mountains including the limnology and geochemical evolution of the saline lakes in the ice-free valleys. • The subject matter in this book is presented in chronological order starting about 750 million years ago and continuing to the present time. • The chapters can be read selectively because the introduction to each chapter identifies the context that gives relevance to the subject matter to be discussed. • The text is richly illustrated with 330 original line drawings as well as with 182 color maps and photographs. • The book contains indexes of both subject matter and of authors’ names that allow it to be used as an encyclopedia of the Transantarctic Mountains and of the East Antarctic ice sheet. • Most of the chapters are supplemented by Appendices containing data tables, additional explanations of certain phenomena (e.g., the formation and seasonal destruction of stratospheric ozone), and illustrative calculations (e.g., 38Cl dates of meteorites). • The authors have spent a combined total of fourteen field seasons between 1964 and 1995 doing geological research in the Transantarctic Mountains with logistical support by the US Antarctic Program. • Although Antarctica is remote and inaccessible, tens of thousands of scientists of many nationalities and their assistants have worked there and even larger numbers of investigators will work there in the future.