Volcaniclastic Sedimentation of the Sejong Formation (Late Paleocene-Eocene), Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica

Abstract

The Sejong Formation of Late Paleocene to Eocene is a lower volcaniclastic sequence unconformably overlain by upper volcanic sequence, and distributed along the southern and southeastern cliffs of the Barton Peninsula. The Sejong Formation is divided into five sedimentary facies; disorganized matrix-supported conglomerate (Fades A), disorganized clast-supported conglomerate (Facies B), stratified clast-supported conglomerate (Fades C), thin-bedded sandstone (Facies D), and lapilli tuff (Facies E), based on sedimentary textures, primary sedimentary structures and bed geometries. Individual sedimentary facies is characterized by distinct sedimentary process such as gravel-bearing mudflows or muddy debris flows (Facies A), cohesionless debris flows (Facies B), unconfined or poorly confined hyperconcentrated flood flows and sheet floods (Facies C), subordinate streamflows (Facies D), and pyroclastic flows (Facies E). Deposition of the Sejong Formation was closely related to volcanic activity which occurred around the sedimentary basin. Four different phases of sediment filling were identified from constituting sedimentary facies. Thick conglomerate and sandstone were deposited during inter-eruptive phases (stages 1, 3 and 4), whereas lapilli tuff was formed by pyroclastic flows during active volcanism (stage 2). These records indicate that active volcanism occurred around the Barton Peninsula during Late Paleocene to Eocene.