Ukrainian Antarctic Journal

No 6-7 (2008): Ukrainian Antarctic Journal
Articles

Geophysical models of Drake passage and Bransfield strait crustal structure

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  • S. P. Levashov,
  • N. A. Yakymchuk,
  • I. N. Korchagin,
  • V. G. Bakhmutov,
  • V. D. Solovyov,
  • Yu. V. Kozlenko
S. P. Levashov
Institute of the applied problems of Ecology, Geophysics and Geochemistry, Kyiv
N. A. Yakymchuk
Institute of the applied problems of Ecology, Geophysics and Geochemistry, Kyiv
I. N. Korchagin
Institute of Geophysics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
V. G. Bakhmutov
Institute of Geophysics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
V. D. Solovyov
Institute of Geophysics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
Yu. V. Kozlenko
Institute of Geophysics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33275/1727-7485.6-7.2008.486
Published December 15, 2008
Keywords
  • geophysical data,
  • crustal inhomogeneities,
  • West Antarctica structures
How to Cite
Levashov, S. P., Yakymchuk, N. A., Korchagin, I. N., Bakhmutov, V. G., Solovyov, V. D., & Kozlenko, Y. V. (2008). Geophysical models of Drake passage and Bransfield strait crustal structure. Ukrainian Antarctic Journal, (6-7), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.33275/1727-7485.6-7.2008.486

Abstract

The 2004 (9th) and 2006 (11th) Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions acquired new geoelectrical data (‘short-impulse electromagnetic field formation’ – FSPEF, and ‘vertical electric-resonance sounding’ – VERS) along profiles across Drake Passage and along Bransfield Strait, Antarctic Peninsula, with the aim of studying the crustal structure of these features down to depths of >30 km. The electromagnetic experiments yielded new data set with unique information about the inner structure of Drake Passage and West Antarctica crust. New values of Moho discontinuity for these structures were obtained. Results of geophysical researches allow investigating the deep structure of the earth's crust in the region where mantle diapirs have introduced to the ancient continental complexes of Bransfield Strait. Beneath the Drake Passage, Moho is interpreted at extremely shallow depths of 8–12 km; the origin of a deeper anomalous layer at 14–20 km is unknown at this stage. Both Moho and the deeper layer show strong relief in the vicinity of the Shackleton Fracture Zone. Moho in the Bransfield Strait profile is interpreted at depths of 12–28 km, while the lower crustal layers and crust–mantle transition zone show radical variations in depth and thickness. Geoelectrical data confirm possible crustal extension and existence of mantle material at depth of 12-16 km. Similar results obtained by three different methods (gravity and magnetic surveys, vertical electric-resonance sounding) during Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions in 2004-2006 years assure the notable magmatic dynamism of Bransfield Trough that forms in the conditions of structural transformations and rifting processes migrating NE-SW along Bransfield Strait.

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