Central and eastern Bransfield basins (Antarctica) from high-resolution swath-bathymetry data

Abstract

For the first time complete swath bathymetric maps of central and eastern Bransfield basins are presented at a medium scale and detailed morphological descriptions are provided. Bathymetry reveals morphological structures which provide important information about the structure, volcanism, and kinematics of these basins. The central basin is dominated by two roughly orthogonal sets of extensional faults (N065° the main set and N145° the secondary set), displays several discontinuous along-axis large volcanic cones and ridges trending about N059°, and undergoes extension roughly normal to the basin. The structure of the eastern basin has a roughly rhomboidal pattern (fault sets along N053° and N103°), 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 component.