Neogene Development of the Terror Rift, Western Ross Sea, Antarctica

The Terror Rift is a 350 km-long, 50–70 km-wide, north-trending deep basin in the western Ross Sea, adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains. The Terror Rift lies within the broader Victoria Land Basin, which experienced 100 km of a mid-Cenozoic extension. New fault and post-29 Ma seismic stratigraphic interpretations were developed using all the seismic reflection data available from the Antarctic Seismic Data Library System and were correlated to all the scientific coreholes. A new 3D velocity model was used for depth conversions. Depth-converted seismic profiles are used to image the faulting along the rift margins. Two segments of steep normal-separation faults, which are connected by a broad anticline, border the eastern margin, whereas steep to sub vertical faults, combined with a stratal dip, produce the relief present at the western margin. The overall geometry of the Terror Rift shows an asymmetric half-graben structure with a main bounding fault that dips alternatively eastwa...