Strange Pebbles at Scott Base

Scott Base is built on a flow of basalt lava that erupted from the nearby Crater Hill. Strangely there are pebbles of granite on the lava flow that have somehow been transported naturally from the Transantarctic Mountains tens or even hundreds of kilometres away.

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With thanks to Antarctica New Zealand videographer Anthony Powell for use of some of his drone video clips.

[bobmurdoch]

I have a tin of these pebbles which I collected in 'the old days' when Iwintered over in 1966-67. The theory then was wind blown. Yes we did all grow beards in those days, lack of water mainly. Those plus a number of other specimens have accompanied me around the World.
Cheers Bob

[frankvsupermacalite]

Commenting purely to try boost engagement. You deserve more views!

[Seawithinyou]

Thank you so much for your very captivating videos They are so helpful knowing more about our planet earth 💖🙏🏼

[bennnyboynzl]

I am with your theory. Love the posts. Don't stop!

[muzikhed]

Glacial transport mostly likely I'd say. Nice video and explanation. Thank you.

[granodiorite]

What are the ages of these rocks?
Could it be a powerful eruption or Maar explosion that brought up the granite?
We have something similar here in Kilbourne Hole, NM, USA where a Maar explosion brought up a lot of basalts, olivines, and some granites.

[JUSTME-mblg]

I'll go with the Ice transport theory.

[Goldenhordemilo]

I recon something large hit there mountains and sent it flying. Making fragments upon impacting the Scott base island

[chrissscottt]

Having thought about the granite mystery a bit more, perhaps during a global warm period the granite peppered ice shelf broke up into bergs that happily drifted around dropping their stones as they melted, then one day a huge tsunami carried the dwindling ice bergs up to your present location where they laid like beached whales, slowly melting away to little more than a sparse scattering of mysterious grey pebbles. (or maybe the sea level subsided again exposing the dropped granite but tsunami ideas are far more exciting!)

[consciuosnesssoul]

Excellent beard! Just like the ancestors who trod Scott base before you.

[davidarundel]

If the Granite blew over to Scott Base, one would presume that at least one side maybe a bit more polished, from it's travels .
Had it come with a Glacier, it wasn't near the base of it, or it would have rounded edges - as is, edges appear to sharp . I'm thinking of the stones at Granity, though that may just be water action .
How about, spat out volcanically on the far side of the TransAntartic Mountains, and pushed along by wind and other storms, without it sinking to much

[josoapification]

Glacier carried during the ice age before the younger dryas occurred in the north ? This period was apparently when the ice retreated from its maximum in the southern hemisphere ?

[mrbbqcraig]

Surely the wind would have brought over other interesting stones/ rocks also... glacial movement has to be the primary reason.... could have been a colleague of yours joking around too and placed it there 🕺🎶

Awesome content, cheers to you 🤟

[kiwidonkeyk]

I'm going for wind, there would surely be a lot more erratics if the ice carried it there and some big lumps too.

[AutomaticBadger]

Interesting! I would guess that glacial transport would be most likely, but it certainly is curious.

[rabidbigdog]

What a privilege! I'm sure the camera doesn't do it justice, but the view/surroundings must seem incredible.

[Toninz]

Is the granite in abundance?…or a one off piece?

[katthompson]

I'm going for glacial drop from ice age... granite question is totally groovy 😎

[rfbftp]

Guessing it's like the sailing stones in death valley

[LeeBurton-uj]

Windspeeds have got to reach 100mph maybe more ...ive seen 70 to 80mph winds pick my friend up and carry him a good 10ft and he weighs 14 stone .. so it could be possible....im no exspert but i would have to go with glacier erosion