Crustal block origins of the South Scotia Ridge

The Cenozoic development of the Scotia Sea and opening Drake Passage evolved in a complex tectonic setting with sea-floor spreading accompanied by dispersal continental fragments creation rifted oceanic basins. post-Eocene is relatively well established, but Late Mesozoic palaeo-locations many prior to are largely unknown, almost no geological control on submerged banks. Detrital zircon analysis dredged metasedimentary rocks Bruce Bank from South Ridge demonstrates continuity Orkney microcontinent (SOM) also clear affinity Trinity Peninsula Group Antarctic components Cordillera Darwin Metamorphic Complex Tierra del Fuego. Kinematic modelling indicates an Plate origin for SOM most plausible setting, translation during opening.