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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1993-94: VUWAE 38

[subsection]

The origin of the 1000 m thick sequence of mostly quartzose sandstones of the lower Beacon Supergroup (Devonian), southern Victoria Land, Antarctica has generated considerable debate. The controversy centres on the presence of varied and abundant trace fossil assemblages, especially sediments containing Skolithos, frequently used by geologists to interpret marine paleoenvironments. However, the trace fossils, in the lower Beacon Supergroup (Taylor Group) are considered by some (Woolfe 1990) to be consistent with nonmarine deposition. Most previous studies have been conducted on a regional scale and insufficient data has been collected to establish sedimentary processes and depositional environment with confidence.

Improved understanding of the depositional system will contribute not only to resolving the trace fossils problem, but also to southern Victoria Land paleogeographic and tectonic reconstructions.