Interpretation of Gravity, Magnetic and High-resolution (3.5 kHz) Seismic Data in the Powell Basin, Antarctica

남극 파월분지 지역의 중,자력 및 고해상 (3.5 KHZ) 탄성파 자료 해석

Gravity, magnetic and high-resolution seismic surveys were carried out in the Powell Basin to examine tectonic structure and recent sedimentation on Dec. 2002. The trend of negative gravity anomalies along the spreading axis of the Powell Basin changes from northwest to east-west toward south. Both boundaries of the basin with the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkey micro-continent show negative magnetic anomalies, which indicates that the boundaries were continental rift areas in the initial stage of spreading. Magnitude of the magnetic anomalies corresponding to the axis of the basin is rather small compared to those of normal spreading axises in other regions. Such small anomalies would be caused by reduction of magnetic strength of oceanic crust below thick sediments due to thermal alternation. High-resolution (3.5 kHz) seismic profiles reveal that top of the South Scotia Ridge is a flat terrain coverd with thin coarse sediments by glacial erosion. Thick oceanic sediments are deposited in the central part of the basin. Little deformation in the oceanic sediments indicates that the Powell Basin has been in stable tectonic environment after spreading of the basin stopped.