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Geomorphological map of Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island 1:25 000

Abstract:

The bedrock geology of the peninsula is described briefly as Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous marine sedimentary, volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, intruded by igneous bodies. The geomorphologial map includes 63 morphogenetic terms differentiated by eight colours. The humid maritime climate of the area, with snow and ice melting in summer, favours the development of a drainage network. Information about the biological and chemical features of its lakes and streams has also been included. Twenty-one types of periglacial landforms habe been observed and analysed, indicating that the current periglacial phase is attenuated in contrast to an earlier, more active one. Byers Peninsula has an obvious glacial landscape although the landforms are gentle and moraines scarce. Glacial deposits include peripheral erratic blocks, inner erratic blocks, Holocene moraines, Little Ice Age moraines, and present supraglacial and frontal moraines; six phases of glacial evolution have been distinguished. A tentative correlation of significant geomorphological processes is proposed.