Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data

This paper presents new data on various types of pegmatites from the Larsemann Hills oasis (Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica), collected during the 70th Russian Antarctic Expedition in 2024-2025. As a result of comprehensive geological and geophysical investigations, all pegmatite occurrence...

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Main Authors: Ivan A. Babenko, Irina V. Talovina, Dmitrii E. Ushakov, Nikita S. Krikun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Saint-Petersburg Mining University 2025-07-01
Series:Записки Горного института
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Online Access:https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16727?setLocale=en_US
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author Ivan A. Babenko
Irina V. Talovina
Dmitrii E. Ushakov
Nikita S. Krikun
author_facet Ivan A. Babenko
Irina V. Talovina
Dmitrii E. Ushakov
Nikita S. Krikun
author_sort Ivan A. Babenko
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents new data on various types of pegmatites from the Larsemann Hills oasis (Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica), collected during the 70th Russian Antarctic Expedition in 2024-2025. As a result of comprehensive geological and geophysical investigations, all pegmatite occurrences in the area belonging to different stages of the Pan-African orogeny have been described, analyzed, and systematically classified in a unified context for the first time. In addition to previously known pegmatites associated with deformation stages D2-3, D4, and post-D4, a further subdivision is proposed based on mineralogical-geochemical characteristics and the content of natural radionuclides. These include borosilicate D2-3 pegmatites, rare-metal D4 pegmatites, muscovite-bearing post-D4 pegmatites, as well as two newly identified types not previously described in the region: K-feldspar D4' pegmatites and miarolitic rare-metal post-D4' pegmatites, which differ in morphology, mineralogy, and geochemical features. Special attention is given to the structural-tectonic control of pegmatite bodies, their geological setting, zoning patterns, and the results of gamma spectrometric and magnetic surveys. Pegmatitic formations containing rare typomorphic minerals – such as tourmaline, boralsilite, grandidierite, and chrysoberyl – are also examined. The results indicate a significant diversity of pegmatite formation conditions, help refine the PT parameters and timing of the initial and final stages of the Pan-African metamorphic event, and confirm the genetic link between pegmatite development and D2-D4 deformation stages. These findings contribute to the reconstruction of Early Paleozoic pegmatite-forming stages during anatectic processes in the geodynamic evolution of East Antarctica and Gondwana.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-2acfd53164b4403e8162f76f470f85e72025-08-20T03:11:37ZengSaint-Petersburg Mining UniversityЗаписки Горного института2411-33362541-94042025-07-01273657916727Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical dataIvan A. Babenko0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5282-3883Irina V. Talovina1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4132-7010Dmitrii E. Ushakov2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6882-3955Nikita S. Krikun3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0350-4987Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityEmpress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityEmpress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityEmpress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityThis paper presents new data on various types of pegmatites from the Larsemann Hills oasis (Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica), collected during the 70th Russian Antarctic Expedition in 2024-2025. As a result of comprehensive geological and geophysical investigations, all pegmatite occurrences in the area belonging to different stages of the Pan-African orogeny have been described, analyzed, and systematically classified in a unified context for the first time. In addition to previously known pegmatites associated with deformation stages D2-3, D4, and post-D4, a further subdivision is proposed based on mineralogical-geochemical characteristics and the content of natural radionuclides. These include borosilicate D2-3 pegmatites, rare-metal D4 pegmatites, muscovite-bearing post-D4 pegmatites, as well as two newly identified types not previously described in the region: K-feldspar D4' pegmatites and miarolitic rare-metal post-D4' pegmatites, which differ in morphology, mineralogy, and geochemical features. Special attention is given to the structural-tectonic control of pegmatite bodies, their geological setting, zoning patterns, and the results of gamma spectrometric and magnetic surveys. Pegmatitic formations containing rare typomorphic minerals – such as tourmaline, boralsilite, grandidierite, and chrysoberyl – are also examined. The results indicate a significant diversity of pegmatite formation conditions, help refine the PT parameters and timing of the initial and final stages of the Pan-African metamorphic event, and confirm the genetic link between pegmatite development and D2-D4 deformation stages. These findings contribute to the reconstruction of Early Paleozoic pegmatite-forming stages during anatectic processes in the geodynamic evolution of East Antarctica and Gondwana.https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16727?setLocale=en_USpegmatiteseast antarcticalarsemann hills oasisprogress stationpan-african orogenyrare-metal mineralizationborosilicatesgamma spectrometry
spellingShingle Ivan A. Babenko
Irina V. Talovina
Dmitrii E. Ushakov
Nikita S. Krikun
Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
Записки Горного института
pegmatites
east antarctica
larsemann hills oasis
progress station
pan-african orogeny
rare-metal mineralization
borosilicates
gamma spectrometry
title Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
title_full Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
title_fullStr Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
title_full_unstemmed Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
title_short Pegmatites of the Larsemann Hills oasis, East Antarctica: new field geological and geophysical data
title_sort pegmatites of the larsemann hills oasis east antarctica new field geological and geophysical data
topic pegmatites
east antarctica
larsemann hills oasis
progress station
pan-african orogeny
rare-metal mineralization
borosilicates
gamma spectrometry
url https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16727?setLocale=en_US
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AT dmitriieushakov pegmatitesofthelarsemannhillsoasiseastantarcticanewfieldgeologicalandgeophysicaldata
AT nikitaskrikun pegmatitesofthelarsemannhillsoasiseastantarcticanewfieldgeologicalandgeophysicaldata