Sedimentary Processes and Glacial Cycles on the Sediment Drifts of the Antarctic Peninsula Pacific Margin: Preliminary Results of SEDANO-II Project

Ten cores collected from Drift 7 on the Pacific continental margin of the Antarctic Peninsula were studied within the SEDANO-II Project with the aim of improving the depositional model proposed for the area by Rebesco et al (1997). Glacial and interglacial cycles are distinguished, and eight sedimentary facies have been recognised. Grain-size and compositional analyses allow the definition of different depositional processes on the continental margin: the NE gentle side of Drift 7 comprises expanded turbiditic and contouritic sequences whereas the distal area contains condensed deposits; turbidites appear finer grained on the upper reaches with respect to the lower reaches of deep-sea channels.