Geological Map of the South Orkney Islands

This single-sided geological map covers the South Orkney Islands of the southern Scotia Sea. The South Orkney Islands were originally contiguous with the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and separated during the opening of Powell Basin during the separation of Antarctica from South America and the opening of the Drake Passage.

The rocks of the South Orkney Islands comprise predominantly Permian-Triassic sandstones and mudstones (Greywacke Shale Formation / Scotia Metamorphic Complex) deposited as turbidity currents in a trench/slope environment. The Scotia Metamorphic Complex on Signy Island was likely deposited during the Late Permian.

The map includes a geological cross section across Coronation, Powell and Laurie islands, and an inset map of metamorphic facies.