The Ross Orogen of the Transantarctic Mountains

Book excerpt: The Ross Orogen of the Transantarctic Mountains is the part of the orogenic system that formed at the Pacific continental margin of present-day Antarctica. According to a recent hypothesis, this continental margin was created by the rifting and subsequent drift of Laurentia from Gondwana. With an unparalleled breadth and depth of information, this book provides a detailed synthesis of the history of the Ross orogen. In doing so, it incorporates classical studies with discussions of the most recent and controversial research from the international community. The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography and a historical chronology of all expeditions that have worked on the Ross orogen in the Transantarctic Mountains, from the first sightings by Ross in 1840 right up to the present day. This review of the Ross orogen of the Transantarctic Mountains will be valuable to all geologists interested in these episodes in the Earth's history, and to researchers of the geology of Antarctica.