Palynological investigations of Permian rocks from Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Palynological investigations of nine sections covering the upper part of the Nordenskioldbreen Formation, Gipshuken Formation, and the lower part of the Kapp Starostin Formation in the Wahlenbergfjorden area, Nordaustlandet. yielded palynomorphs in three sections. Three assemblages are recognized. A tentative correlation with the Sverdrup Basin suggests a Sakmarian to Artinskian age for the uppermost Nordenskioldbreen and lower Gipshuken Formations. Thermal maturity is low. The palynoflora is dominated by striate pollen suggesting an arid climate throughout the deposition of the Nordenskioldbreen and Gipshuken Formations.     

Occurrence of the Mytilus edulis complex on Nordaustlandet, Svalbard: radiocarbon ages and climatic implications

Fragments of the blue mussel ( Mytilus edulis complex) are present on raised beaches in the vicinity of Langgrunnodden and Kinnvika, northwestern Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. Both of these localities are north of 80ø N. New radiocarbon age determinations, together with earlier results, show that Mytilus colonies were present in this area for much of the first half of Holocene time–from approximately 9000 to 5800 ¹⁴C yr BP. Mytilus has also been recorded farther south in Nordaustlandet, at three localities in Wahlenbergfjorden. Age determinations of shells at two of these sites have yielded results in the range of 7400 to 6900 ¹⁴C yr BP. The arrival of Mytilus to Nordaustlandet coincided with the early Holocene influx of warm North Atlantic Water off the west coast of Spitsbergen. The drastic warming in early Holocene time, which resulted in the rapid melt-off of glaciers and ice caps in Svalbard, also facilitated the establishment and perserverance of Mytilus colonies at this high latitude.     

Remote sensing of ice cap outlet glacier fluctuations on Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Landsat multispectral scanner images and 1:50, 000 scale aerial photographs are used to measure marginal fluctuations in 22 outlet glaciers of the Nordaustlandet ice caps, Svalbard, for all or parts of the period 1969 to 1981. Little was previously known about the behaviour of these glacier termini. Digital analysis of Landsat computer compatible tapes yielded measurement errors of less than ±150m, whereas data extracted from aerial photographs had an accuracy of ±25 m. Of the 22 glacier termini examined using aerial photographs, 15 were retreating, four were static and three were advancing. Retreat was usually in the order of hundreds of metres during the period of observation. For any outlet glacier, retreat was probably a result of either (1) glacier response to climatic wanning since the early part of the 20th century, or (2) stagnation and thinning during the quiescent period between surges. Short term iceberg calving events may also be responsible for retreat in a few cases. All observed outlet glaciers of Austfonna were static or retreating between 1969 and 1981, but analysis of Landsat imagery and aerial photographs showed that five outlet glaciers from Vestfonna and one from Vegafonna were advancing for all or part of that period. Bodleybreen advanced by a mean of 440 and a maximum of 580m a⁻¹ between 1976 and 1981. Bodleybreen, Søre Rijpbreen, and Palanderbreen are identified as surging, based on increases or changes in the pattern of surface crevassing. The ice streams Aldousbreen, Frazerbreen, and Idunbreen also advanced between 1976 and 1981, but surface crevasse patterns remained largely unaltered and surging is not inferred.     

Geochemistry of the late Proterozoic Kapp Hansteen igneous rocks of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Proterozoic igneous rocks occur in three areas in Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, and are found in the upper part of the Lower Hecla Hoek succession, the Botniahalvøya Supergroup. The rocks have been called porphyrites in Botniahalvøya, metadiabases in Prins Oscars Land and quartz porphyries in both areas as well as in the Sabinebukta area. All rocks have been metamorphosed under the greenschist facies conditions. The porphyrites are calc-alkaline acid andesites and dacites of medium to high K2O type, possibly showing a transition to tholeiitic series. The quartz porphyries are calc-alkaline rhyolites of high K20 type. The metadiabases are subdivided into two: the basic dykes of low K20 type and relatively high Fe tholeiite series, while the main bodies are acid andesites of medium to high K20 and low Fe tholeiite series. The basic dykes fall in the oceanic rock field of the Tiø2-K20-P20s diagram, and are most likely belonging to the island arc type volcanism. The metadiabases of main bodies and the porphyrites, and possibly the quartz porphyries, are chemically continuous. The medium to high K20 contents, and their Tiø2-K20-P2O5 ratios suggest that these three rock groups are non-oceanic and resemble the rock associations of the areas having thick continental crust. This conclusion agrees with the reported high initial Sr^87/86 ratios and the existence of a distinct unconformity at the base of this volcanogenic succession.     

Two major unconformities beneath the Neoproterozoic Murchisonfjorden Supergroup in the Caledonides of central Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Two unconformities have been found in central Nordaustlandet. New mapping has located a major unconformity at the base of the Neoproterozoic Murchisonfjorden Supergroup, with quartzites and basal conglomerates of the Djevleflota Formation unconformably overlying dark phyllites of the Helvetesflya Formation and metavolcanic rocks of the Svartrabbane Formation. A second unconformity separates the Helvetesflya from the Svartrabbane formations. These rocks were isoclinally folded, metamorphosed in lower greenschist facies, and, apparently, syntectonically intruded by Grenville-age granites, prior to uplift, erosion and Neoproterozoic deposition. Caledonian tectonothermal activity, as recorded in the Neoproterozoic strata , appears to vary very little across Svalbard's Eastern Terrane from Ny Friesland, in the west, to Murchisonfjorden in western Nordaustlandet and, via Wahlenbergfjorden, to the central Nordaustlandet area, described here. Upright folds with associated high angle, usually E-dipping cleavages, characterise the Caledonian deformation over an east-west distance of about 100 km. This evidence allows the possibility that the pre-Devonian basement, to the east of Nordaustlandet, beneath the northern Barents Sea (Barentsia), may be composed of Grenville-age complexes little influenced by Caledonian tectonothermal activity. Alternatively, Barentsia is dominated by Caledonian hinterland tectonics, with extensive middle Paleozoic tectonothermal reworking of a Precambrian basement.     

Census of seabird colonies on Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, and in neighbouring localities in 1978 and 1979

Seabird colonies were censused during the summer expedition of Norsk Polarinstitutt to Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, in 1978 and 1979, and to Kongsøya in 1979. An outline is given of the distribution of the species together with an estimate of the number of breeding pairs in the colonies. Twentv-five colonies were censused; seven were visited both years. Four colonies with more than 1,000 breeding pairs of the most abundant species, Briinnich's guillemot and kittiwake, were found on Nordaustlandet.     

Observations of moulting Eider and breeding Common Eider Somateria mollissima at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, in 1979

A survey on the Common Eider Somateria mollissima in wing-feather moult and females with young was carried out in connection with Norsk Polarinstitutt's expedition to Svalbard in July and August 1979. A total of 3450 moulting eider were found on a water area of approximately 2500 km²; 18% of these were flightless. Females dominated in the population with about 82%. Of the breeding population, 109 females with 336 young were found. The average ratio of female to young has been calculated at 1:3.08. This ratio in relation to other studies of eider productivity is discussed briefly.     

One-year records of current and bottom pressure in the strait between Nordaustlandet and Kvitøya, Svalbard, 1980-81

we have obtained one year of measurements from a subsurface instrumented mooring carrying two current meters and one bottom pressure recorder in the strait between Nordaustlandet and Kvitøya in the northeastern Svalbard archipelago. The observations show a mixed tide with typical amplitudes 0.4 db and 10cm sec⁻¹. The semidiurnal tide is characterized by a progressive wave propagating toward the south. together with a cross-channel baroclinic mode. The annual average (non-tidal) current is less than 2cm sec⁻¹ toward the north-east, suggesting that the transport into the Arctic Ocean is approximately 0.2 × 10⁶m³s⁻¹.     

Raised beach deposits and new 14C ages from Picepynten, Prins Karls Forland, Western Svalbard

This note reports the occurrence of two generations of 14C dated raised beach deposits at Pricepynten. southern Prins Karls Forland, western Svalbard, dated to < 12 Kya and >30 Kya. In addition two new 14C ages of ca. 9.2 and 1.8 Ky are presented from Myrilus eclulis and a buried peat deposit, respectively.     

Glacial history, Holocene shoreline displacement and palaeoclimate based on radiocarbon ages in the area of Bockfjorden, north-western Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Age determinations of bivalve shells indicate that Bockfjorden, a fjord in north-western Spitsbergen, Svalbard, was deglaciated shortly before 10 Kya, and that the upper marine limit in this area, with an altitude of about 50 m a.s.l., has the same age. During most of the Holocene, the glaciers in Bockfjorden were less extensive than they are today. Their maximum Holocene extension occurred during the Little Ice Age. The initial shoreline emergence after the deglaciation was rapid, and former shorelines younger than 8.5 Ky are below the present sea level. A mid-Holocene transgression of the sea is traced as well as a transgression during the last thousand years.     

Charophytes from the warm springs of Svalbard

Two of Svalbard' Trollkjeldane (Troll Springs) have a luxuriant vegetation of charophytes. This article is based on material collected in the Trollkjeldane by Sissel Aarvik, of the Office of the Sysselmann (Governor) of Svalbard, on 28 August 1992 and 16 August 1993. Chara canescens is described, based on living material. The Svalbard specimens have been named Chara canescens f. spitsbergensis comb. nov., which is synonymous with Chara aspera f. spitsbergensis Nordstedt. An imperfect charophyte is described here as a new subspecies of C. canescens: Chara canescens subsp. hoelii, named after Adolf Hoel, who first collected specimens of this subspecies. It is believed that this subspecies originates from Chara canescens, presumably by a genetic reorganization or a mutation of the species. A new subspecies is justified because of the ecorticate internodes, the incomplete or lacking cortex of the branchlets, the occurrence of accessory branchlets and the special bulbils found in this taxon. These are interpreted as characteristics with positive selective value in the special environment of the spring, where asexual reproduction by bulbils presumably has the same selective value as the parthenogenic reproduction by oospores in Chara canescens f. spitsber- gensis.
In a growth experiment, the best growth of C. canescens f. spits- bergensis from the springs was obtained in water with relatively low salt content.
Growing tourism in Svalbard threatens to the springs; more active protection must be evaluated. There is also an urgent need to survey the springs in more detail.     

New palaeomagnetic result from Vendian red sediments in Cisbaikalia and the problem of the relationship of Siberia and Laurentia in the Vendian

A palaeomagnetic study of Vendian red sediments from the Lena River section on the western margin of Lake Baikal in the region of Cisbaikalia (54°N, 108°E) has isolated a stable remanence with direction D = 296.3°, I = −27.7° (high-temperature component) and a corresponding pole of 2.7°S, 168.2°E. The primary nature of this remanence is confirmed from a positive fold test, dual polarities and the presence of detrital haematite. This result, together with all late Precambrian–Early Cambrian palaeomagnetic data from Siberia, indicates that Siberia occupied low latitudes during that time. It has been proposed on the basis of palaeomagnetic data that Laurentia occupied high latitudes during the Vendian, so it would appear that there cannot have been any Laurentia–Siberia connection at that time. A review of Vendian to Cambrian Laurentian palaeomagnetic data shows that such an interpretation is ambiguous. An alternative interpretation places Laurentia in low latitudes and confirms the Laurentia–Siberia fit of Hoffman (1991 ) and Pelechaty (1996 ). However, the lack of Late Vendian palaeomagnetic data for Siberia still allows the possibility that it could have occupied high latitudes during that time.     

Microfossils in metasediments from Prins Karls Forland, western Svalbard

The stratigraphic importance of fossils is never more apparent than in attempts to unravel the complexities of metamorphic terrains. The age and stratigraphic relationships of the thick metasedimentary and metavolcanic succession of Prins Karls Forland, western Svalbard, have been the subject of investigation and debate since the early part of this century (Hoel 1914; Craig 1916; Tyrrel 1924), and sharply different interpretations have been proposed (e.g. Harland et al. 1979; Hjelle et al. 1979). Until now, such interpretations have been unconstrained by palaeontological data, an understandable consequence of the metamorphic alteration undergone by these rocks. In this paper, we report the discovery of stratigraphically useful microfossils preserved in chert nodules from carbonaceous, dolomitic shales on northern Prins Karls Forland. These fossils have significant implications for the stratigraphic and structural interpretation of Forland metasediments, as well as for the more general problem of palaeontological prospecting in severely deformed and metamorphosed terrains, including those characteristic of the Archean Eon.     

A surge of Skobreen, Svalbard

Surging glaciers are common in Svalbard yet relatively few glaciers have been observed during a surge. This paper presents observations of the currently surging glacier Skobreen, in southern Spitsbergen. The study is based on examinations of new and archival photographs and maps. Skobreen, an 18 km² valley glacier terminating into the lower part of the glacier Paulabreen, has not been registered previously as a surging glacier. Skobreen experienced a build-up in its upper part, while there has been a lowering of the surface in the terminal region. Photographs from 1990 show incipient crevassing in the upper part. Photographs from 2003 show a slight advance of the terminus and marginal crevassing, indicating an initiation period of about 15 years for a surge of this glacier. In June 2005 transverse crevassing appeared in the upper part of the glacier, while the middle section moved as a block with strong shear margins and a pronounced drawdown of the ice surface. No traces of a surge front could be seen in the crevasse pattern. However, the crevasse pattern indicates an initiation area in the transition zone between the transverse crevassing in the upper part and the block of ice in the middle region.     

Palynology of the Permian succession of Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Palynological investigations of 16 sections from Spitsbergen, Svalbard, covering the uppermost Carboniferous, Permian and lowermost Triassic succession have been carried out. Because of general poor preservation and barrenness of the majority of the samples, it was not possible to establish a formal zonation for the Permian succession. The study resulted, however, in the recognition of three Permian palynological assemblages, restricted downwards by a Carboniferous assemblage and upwards by an earliest Triassic (Griesbachian) assemblage. The dating of these assemblages is based on palynological correlation with similar palynofloras elsewhere in the present Arctic region as well as dating by marine faunas, which in general give better stratigraphic resolution. The Permian assemblages recognised include (1) the Vittatina assemblage of late Gzhelian to early Asselian age recorded in the lower parts of the Tyrrellfjellet Member (Nordenskioldbreen Formation), (2) the Hamiapollenites tractiferinus assemblage of late Asselian to Artinskian age recorded in the upper parts of the Tyrrellfjellet Member and in the Gipshuken Formation and (3) the youngest Permian Kraeuselisporiles assemblage of late Artinskian to earliest Tatarian age recorded in the Kapp Starostin Formation.     

Heavy metals in water, ice and biological material from Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Concentrations of heavy metals Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Hg and Co were determined in surface waters, glacier ice and plant and animal materials from three regions in Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The concentrations of these metals in two samples of surface waters and in the vascular plants from Spitsbergen were found to be lower than what is commonly found in Cental Europe. Elevated concentrations were found in old ice from the surface of a glacier. The concentrations of heavy metals in algae were lower than in vascular plants. The concentrations of metals in the samples of feathers and animal hair from Spitsbergen were higher than what is common for Central Europe.     

Pleistocene stratigraphy of Kongsfjordhallet, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Open sections along Kongsfjodhallet, the north-western coast Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, exhibit marine and glacigenic sediments of Early to Late Plestocene age. Glaciatio, deglaciation and subsequent isostatic rebound caused the formation of three sedimentary successions (A, B and C) that comprise till grading upward into glaciomarine mud, followed by shell-bearing sand, and finally littoral sand and gravel. Six major lithostratigraphic units are recognized. Succession C comprises units 1 and 2, which were deposited during an Early Pleistocene glaciation, followed by deglaciation and subsequent beach progradation. Succession B is divisible into units 3 and 4 and reflects glaciation and eventual emergence as a result of isostatic response. The youngest succesion (A) comprises units 5 and 6, and reflects fiord glaciation followed by a regression during an Early Weichselian glaciation-deglaciation episode. Ice-free conditions may have prevailed untill the Late Weichselian, when a glaciation, confined to the fiord trough, covered parts of Kongsfjordhallet. Deglaciation and isostatic rebound are recorded by Holocene marine terraces up to ca 40 m a. s. l.
Marine and glacial events from Kongsfjordhallet are compared with stratigraphic evidence from adjacent regions and it is suggested that the Late Weichselian ice configuration was of a more restricted nature than proposed by previous authors. Glaciers. draining through the larger ford troughs reached the shelf break. while at the same time other parts of western Svalbard could have experienced restricted glaciation.     

Eco-geographical relations of the Bjornoya vascular flora, Svalbard

A renewed survey of the flora of Bjornoya (74° 31'N) has yielded a total of 54 native vascular species. Details of their distribution are provided by local maps and vertical frequency tabulations. Soil preferences of species and various plant communities are outlined. The general climate and microthermal conditions of the prevailing vegetation place Bjerneya as a pronouncedly maritime part of the Svalbard archipelago, supporting mainly hygrophilous and chionophilous plant communitites and species. Only half of the island's vascular species persist at elevations above 200 m a.s.l., corresponding to a heat sum of July and August below approximately 190 Degree-Days. Ice-cored peat mounds coated by Rhacomitrium lanuginosum were discovered on plateaux above 400 m elevation.
The impact of the Vistula glaciation is discussed in view of Quaternary evidence from the Barents Sea area. Probably only one third of the present vascular flora could endure full-glacial conditions in possible ice-free cliffs on the coast of Bjornaya.     

Geomorphometric analysis of a rocky coastline: an example from Hornsund,Svalbard

We describe a method to extract a number of quantitative morphometric characteristics of a rocky coastline. The algorithm, which is implemented in the free open-source software GNU Octave, takes as its input an ordered set of coordinate pairs defining the coastline. It finds vertices of specific angularity at two different levels, first approximating convex features (headlands) and then looking for local maxima (embayment edges) in their vicinity. It extracts numerical parameters for each embayment delimited by the former points, including basic geometric parameters (e.g. area, depth and width) and coefficients expressing shapes of embayments (e.g. form factor, coefficient of asymmetry and compactness). These we adapted from morphometric studies of other geomorphic features. Complex headlands and random sectors of the coastline which are delimited by embayment edges are automatically removed. The method was developed and tested on Hornsund in Svalbard, where 20 headlands, 28 embayment edges and 20 embayments were identified, but could be adapted to a wide range of coastal situations. We consider a range of possible applications of the methods, including to the classification of coastlines, change detection and identifying controls on their morphologies, and we discuss the choice of optimum parameters for the algorithm.     

Metamorphism of the Mullerneset Formation, St. Jonsfjorden, Svalbard

The metamorphism of upper greenschist facies metasediments exposed in the extreme southwestern portion of St. Jonsjorden, Svalbard, is described. The rocks form part of the Mullerneset Formation of the late Precambrian age Kongsvegen Group and constitute a portion of the central-western Spitsbergen Cale-donides. Four deformations (D, -D4) and two metamorphic episodes (Mi and M2) have affected the rocks of the Mullerneset area. Mi was a prograde event which was initiated prior to the onset of the Di and continued through this deformation. Pre-Dt metamorphism reached biotite grade whereas garnet grade was attained syn-Di. M2 was a lower-middle greenschist facies metamorphism associated with D2. The results of quantitative geothermometry in the pelitic rocks show that peak Mi metamorphic temperatures decrease southwards across the field area from about 540°C to 510°C. Geobarometry and estimates of depth of burial indicate that Mi pressures were in the range of 5–7 kb. The data are consistent with geothermal gradients in the range of 21 ± 4°C/km to 24 ± 5°C/km. M2 metamorphic conditions are not precisely determinable but temperatures and pressures were probably less than those attained during Mi. It is suggested that the rocks of central-western Spitsbergen were originally deposited in an aulacogen before the initiation of Caledonian diastrophism.