The South Shetland Islands, Antarctica: Lithostratigraphy and geological map

Over the last few decades, numerous geological studies have been carried out in South Shetland Islands, which greatly contributed to a better understanding of its evolution. However, attempts conducted correlate units throughout this archipelago. We present herein review literature available we use propose lithostratigraphical correlation that constitutes coherent stratigraphy for main Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks Islands along with new map. The shows environmental evolution comprises three stages: 1) deep marine sedimentation from ∼164 140 Ma, 2) subaerial volcanism proliferation plants fauna ∼140 35 Ma 3) glacial interglacial deposits ∼35 Ma. also broad geographical trend decreasing age southwest northeast, has previously suggested. spatial is disrupted by presence Eocene magmatism Livingston Island, located centre suggest migration occurred Late Cretaceous until early Eocene. Subsequently, enhanced magmatic activity took place mid-Eocene Miocene, associate processes related waning subduction. Constraining protolith metamorphic complex Smith Island remains challenging, yet holds key implications tectonic accretionary Antarctic Peninsula. recording glaciation sector Antarctica are well exposed northern hold critical information timings lead greenhouse icehouse transition at end Finally, contemporaneous breakup Peninsula Patagonia led opening Drake Passage development Scotia Sea north Better constraints on settings these may further paleobiogeographical region, played an important role speciation as land bridge between America Antarctica. dataset containing map associated shared shapefile or KML file.