Abstract

Beacon sediments between Mt Metschel in the south and Robinson Peak in the north were examined during a 60 day, 950 km long traverse. Although a large number of days were lost to bad weather, most of the scientific alms were achieved.

The Pyramid Erosion Surface between Metschel Tillite and basal Welter Coal Measures was found to be at least locally conformable. This indicates that the retreating ice sheet was proximal to vegetated areas and that the time break believed to be associated with the erosion surface may be very small.

Observations suggest that the Beacon was deposited in an intracratonic sedimentary basin, no evidence was found to support the view that marine incursions occurred during Beacon times.

An extensive suite of samples were collected and will be used to provide a carbon/sulphur geochemical profile of the Beacon and to examine the effects of dolerite intrusions on the usefulness of carbon/sulphur as a paleoenvironmental indicator.

The lower part of the Lashly Formation was the object of a special study. Paleocurrent measurements and facies sequences recorded in Lashly A, suggest a deltaic, fluvio-lacustrine setting.