Glacial geology of Thomas Island, Bunger Hills, East Antarctica

Thomas Island (Bunger Hills, East Antarctica) is a 34 square kilometre, deglaciated area potentially impacted by the East Antarctic ice sheet and Remenchus Glacier from the east, Shackleton Ice Shelf from the north and Edisto Glacier from the west. Its glacial geology reveals a complex interplay between these ice masses, which operate with different spatial and temporal dynamics. This poster maps glacial erosional and depositional features and allows inference of the history of ice advance and retreat, and sets a framework for quantitative dating of its deglaciation history. Overriding by the ice sheet created flutes and striations, showing regional iceflow to the northwest. Retreat of ice from this advance was succeeded by a shelf glacier impinging from Edisto Channel to the north and Cacapon Inlet to the south, creating moraine ridges along the northern and southern shores. The final stage of glaciation occurred via the tongue of Edisto Glacier impacting the island from the southwest, creating prominent moraine ridges along the island’s western edge. This is a more complex history than hitherto appreciated for the main oasis forming southern Bunger Hills.