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Aeromagnetic and gravity data of the Central Transantarctic Mountains
Entry ID: nsf0232042

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Summary

Abstract: Near complete coverage of the East Antarctic shield by ice hampers geological
study of crustal architecture important for understanding global tectonic and
climate history. Limited exposures in the central Transantarctic Mountains
(CTAM), however, show that Archean and Proterozoic rocks of the shield as well
as Neoproterozoic-lower Paleozoic sedimentary successions were involved in
oblique convergence associated with Gondwana amalgamation. Subsequently, the
area was overprinted by Jurassic magmatism and Cenozoic uplift.

To extend the known geology of the region to ice-covered areas, we conducted an
aeromagnetic survey flown in draped mode by helicopters over the Transantarctic
Mountains and by fixed-wing aircraft over the adjacent polar plateau. We flew
>32,000 line km covering an area of nearly 60,000 km2 at an average altitude of
600 m, with average line spacing 2.5 km over most areas and 1.25 km over
basement rocks exposed in the Miller and Geologists ranges. Additional lines
flown to true north, south and west extended preliminary coverage and tied with
existing surveys. Gravity data was collected on the ground along a central
transect of the helicopter survey area. From December 2003 to January 2004,
the CTAM group flew a helicopter and twin-otter aeromagnetic survey and
collected gravity station data on the ground in profile form. These data will
be integrated with other geologic and geophysical data in order to extend the
known geology of the region to ice-covered areas.

Geographic Coverage

N: -82.35733

S: -83.95234

E: 170.21844

W: 139.27539

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J. D. Abraham, F. Goldman
Dataset Title: Aeromagnetic data over the Central Transantarctica Mountains (CTAM)

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2003-12-27

Stop Date: 2004-01-25

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Data Resolution
Latitude Resolution: 625 meters
Longitude Resolution: 625 meters

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
STRUCTURE

Platform

HELICOPTER [Information]

DHC-6 >DeHavilland Twin Otter [Information]

Instrument

MAGNETOMETERS [Information]

MAM >Magnetic Field Instrument [Information]

Quality

The data in this file were collected by a single contractor (CTAM) who were
responsible for collecting and processing the data. The data from this survey
were collected using the same instruments (magnetometers and navigational
systems) throughout the survey and were collected in a normal length of time
with no long delays between survey beginning and end. Standard industry
practices of the time were followed in data collection and processing.

High- resolution horizontal position of the survey aircraft used to collect
data were determined from GPS satellites. Positioning data were recorded
in-flight independently using a Trimble 4000 and an Ashtech Surveyor 12
receivers. When possible a differential position was calculated. When not an
autonomous position was used. Positions were good to one meter when
differentially processed and 20 meters when autonomous was used.

The cesium magnetometer is accurate to about 0.002 nanoteslas (nT) at 1 Hz and
the proton precession base station magnetometer is accurate to about 1 nT.
Therefore the accuracy of the base station corrected data is 1 nT or better.

Keywords

Aeromagnetic data

Central Transantarctic Mountains

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

Data Center

Mineral Resource Program, Geology Division, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior [Information]
Data Center URL: http://minerals.usgs.gov/

Data Center Personnel

Name: CAROL A FINN
Phone: 303-236-1345
Fax: 303-236-1229
Email: cfinn at usgs.gov
Contact Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
MS 964
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
Province or State: CO
Postal Code: 80225
Country: USA

Distribution

Distribution_Media: electronic
Fees: none

Personnel

CAROL A FINN
Role: INVESTIGATOR
Role: DIF AUTHOR
Phone: 303-236-1345
Fax: 303-236-1229
Email: cfinn at usgs.gov
Contact Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
MS 964
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
Province or State: CO
Postal Code: 80225
Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2005-08-16

Last DIF Revision Date: 2008-08-29

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