Norwegian Antarctic Expedition, 1968-69

The aim of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition was to carry out mapping, geological and glaciological investigations of the Kraul Mts. in western Queen Maud Land. The expedition received the assistance of the National Science Foundation in the provision of American equipment and arrangements for logistics. The six member expedition, equipped for 2 1/2 months of field operations was taken by LC-130 Hercules aircraft from McMurdo to the Kraul Mts. where on several sledge journeys, covering 800 km in all, the geology of the mountains was mapped, triangulations made and base measurements taken during Nov. 22, 1968 to Jan. 20, 1969. The geology of the Kraul Mts. is rather monotonous, consisting of amygdaloid basic-to-intermediate lavas in thick, nearly flat-lying beds. An ultrabasic olivine-rich intrusive is dominant in the westernmost part of the mountains. In the east, a small isolated outcrop con sisted of sedimentary rocks in a sequence of about 50 m, containing a fossil Glossopteris flora of Permian Age. All mountains were crossed by dolerite sills and dykes. During work in the mountains, animal and plant life were observed, and some samples were taken. Core drillings were taken at the ice shelf 70 km to the N, for comparison with main basic cores.

Coordinates: S731959 S731959 W0141000 W0141000