r/antarctica • u/Infinite-Rest-2559 • 6d ago
Nature Antarctica geology
Hey everyone,
Just wondering if i could get a simple timeline of antarctic geology.
I have a few questions.
So i know (and tell me if i am wrong) east Antarctica is a craton or shield.
West Antarctica was apart of the andes and got separated through the scotia plate coming through (i think?).
The divider is transantarctic mountains.
How were the mountains formed in simple terms because i dont think i understand what a rift is and how it causes mountains if its being pulled apart?
Antarctica was pretty much in its position it is in now 100mya but the plants adapted to dark winters.
It started splitting from the other continents (aus and South America) 100mya ago, by 30 mya Australia was really far apart and South America land bridge was gone. This created a cold water current which essentially cut off Antarctica from the rest of the world in terms of climate.
Were east and west Antarctica always together while apart of gondwana? Are the islands such as South Georgia remnants of land bridge that got pushed or are the volcanic islands that were created.
Whats the timeline from the splitting of Pangea.
I have done my research but these things I cant get solid answers from.
Thank you!
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u/Own-Assumption5149 5d ago
If you don’t get any answer here might try one of the Reddit geology subs like r/geology
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u/A_the_Buttercup Winter/Summer, both are good 6d ago
I'm just going to sit here and wait for a real geologist to appear, I want to know, too!