Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1979-80: VUWAE 24
Lithology
Lithology
Three main lithologies are recognised in the core recovered; diamictite, muddy sandstone or sandy mudstone, and sandstone. The diamictite is characteristically a non-stratified, very poorly sorted muddy sandstone with evenly scattered pebbles and cobbles forming 1 or 2 percent of the rock. However, all diamictite units include some intervals of stratification. The muddy sandstone and sandy mudstone units also have scattered pebbles, but are better sorted and lack the granule and coarse sand components of the diamictite, and are widely, if faintly, stratified. An indistinct mottling, attributed to bioturbation, is also common. The third lithology is the non-stratified homogeneous well sorted medium grained quartzose sand that forms unit 12. It is far more mineralogically and texturally mature than any other sediment encountered, the size and roundness of the groups indicating direct derivation from the Devonian quartzose sandstones 50 km inland.