E. Gracia et al., CENTRAL AND EASTERN BRANSFIELD BASINS (ANTARCTICA) FROM HIGH-RESOLUTIAN SWATH-BATHYMETRY DATA, Antarctic science, 9(2), 1997, pp. 168-180
Far the first time complete swath bathymetric maps of central and east
ern Bransfield basins are presented at a medium scale and detailed mor
phological descriptions are provided. Bathymetry reveals morphological
structures which provide important information about the structure, v
olcanism, and kinematics of these basins. The central basin is dominat
ed by two roughly orthogonal sets of extensional faults (N065 degrees
the main set and N145 degrees the secondary set), displays several dis
continuous along-axis large volcanic cones and ridges trending about N
059 degrees, and undergoes extension roughly normal to the basin. The
structure of the eastern basin has a roughly rhomboidal pattern (fault
sets along N053 degrees and N103 degrees), displays four deep troughs
and a much smaller amount of volcanism than the central basin, and is
affected by extension with a significant sinistral strike-slip compon
ent.