Geologically, West Antarctica closely resembles the Andes mountain range of South America. The Antarctic Peninsula was formed by uplift and metamorphism of sea bed sediments during the late Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic eras. This sediment uplift was accompanied by igneous intrusions and volcanism. The most common rocks in West Antarctica are andesite and rhyolite volcanics formed during the Jurassic period. There is also evidence of volcanic activity, even after the ice sheet had formed, in Marie Byrd Land and Alexander Island. The only anomalous area of West Antarctica is the Ellsworth Mountains region, where the stratigraphy is more similar to East Antarctica. COUNT 10
QSN1 What does West Antarctica most resemble geologically? ANS1 the Andes mountain range of South America QSN2 How was the Antarctic Peninsula formed? ANS2 by uplift and metamorphism of sea bed sediments QSN3 During what eras was the Antarctic Peninsula formed? ANS3 late Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic QSN4 What are the most common rocks found in West Antarctica? ANS4 andesite and rhyolite volcanics QSN5 Where has evidence of volcanic activity been discovered in Antarctica? ANS5 Marie Byrd Land and Alexander Island QSN6 To what mountainous area is Antarctica geologically similar? ANS6 Andes QSN7 An uplift of what formed Antarctica? ANS7 sea bed sediments QSN8 Starting from the late Paleozoic era, when did Antarctica finish forming? ANS8 early Mesozoic QSN9 What are the most often found rocks in Antarctica? ANS9 andesite and rhyolite QSN10 What type of geologic activity occurred even after the formation of the ice sheets? ANS10 volcanic