CORRELATION OF PERMIAN AND TRIASSIC PALYNOMORPH ASSEMBLAGES FROM THE CENTRAL TRANSANTARCTIC MOUNTAINS, ANTARCTICA

Palynological studies of terrestrially derived sediments in Antarctica are especially valuable in deciphering geological questions of age, correlation, and paleoenvironments. We summarize here palynomorphs recovered from Buckley Formation outcrops in the central Transantarctic Mountains. Palynoassemblages from the overlying Fremouw and Falla Formations (Triassic) were also examined. The Buckley assemblages are interpreted as Late Permian (Australian Stage 5). Silicified peat from the Fremouw Formation (Early-Middle Triassic) yielded an assemblage indicating a possible Anisian age (Middle Triassic). Shales and shaley coals from the Falla Formation (Late Triassic) contained assemblages correlative with possible Norian (Late Triassic) sequences in Australia and Tasmania. Permian-Triassic palynofloras in Antarctica show greater similarity with Australian assemblages than with those from other Gondwana continents. © 1990.