Researchers have gained new insights into the evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains by analyzing the chemistry of bedrock samples. The 3,500-kilometer-long mountain range plays a crucial role in Antarctica's ecosystem, acting as a natural barrier between East and West Antarctica. Understanding its history is essential for understanding the climate dynamics of the continent.
The team collected rock samples from the Transantarctic Mountains and examined their internal chemistry. This analysis revealed evidence of a glacial period in Antarctica around 300 million years ago. The breakdown of igneous rocks indicated a more dynamic Antarctic landscape history than previously recognized. Scientists use methods like U-Pb dating of zircon and apatite to determine the timing of magmatism and deformation.
The evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains could be vital to understanding Antarctica's modern environment. The older geologic history of the continent may have profoundly shaped the patterns of the modern landscape. This likely influenced cycles of glacial advance and retreat. Studies of cosmogenic nuclides such as 3He, 10Be, and 21Ne in bedrock surfaces also provide insights into the glacial history, indicating past ice cover without significant glacial erosion.