Geological Investigations in Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Abstract

Small recent saline deposits are widespread on rocks and at the surface of moraine in the ice-free Victoria Valley system. They are indicative of the arid climate of the area and show that significant chemical weathering can occur under frigid conditions. The deposits are largely sulphates, but nitrates, chlorides, and iodates are also present, Gypsum layers formed within the moraine provide a reference surface for the study of frost polygons.