Aeromagnetic anomaly patterns reveal buried faults along the eastern margin of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin (East Antarctica)

The Wilkes Subglacial Basin (WSB) is the major morphological feature recognized in the hinterland of the
Transantarctic Mountains. The origin of this basin remains contentious and relatively poorly understood due to the lack
of extensive geophysical exploration. We present a new aeromagnetic anomaly map over the transition between the
Transantarctic Mountains and the WSB for an area adjacent to northern Victoria Land. The aeromagnetic map reveals
the existence of subglacial faults along the eastern margin of the WSB. These inferred faults connect previously
proposed fault zones over Oates Land with those mapped along the Ross Sea Coast. Specifically, we suggest a link
between the Matusevich Frature Zone and the Priestley Fault during the Cenozoic. The new evidence for structural
control on the eastern margin of the WSB implies that a purely flexural origin for the basin is unlikely.