Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T06:44:47.722Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

IX.—Geology of Central Vestspitsbergen: Part I. Review of the Geology of Spitsbergen, with special reference to Central Vestspitsbergen;* Part II. Carboniferous to Lower Permian of Billefjorden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2012

E. R. Gee ,
W. B. Harland  and
J. R. H. McWhae
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Synopsis

This paper is the first of a series of reports on the detailed investigations of the Gelogy of Central Vestspitsbergen arising out of the Cambridge Spitsbergen Expedition, 1949. While subsequent publications will consist almost entirely of new data, the purpose of this paper is primarily to compile information obtained previously. Following the Introduction, there is a review of the published literature as it affects the area as a whole; this has been attempted at length to save repetition in the later chapters and in any subsequent papers. The later chapters include a detailed study of the Carboniferous to Lower Permian of Billefjorden, using unpublished material which has been made available from several expeditions of the Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate, some results from the Cambridge Spitsbergen Expedition, 1938, and from that of 1949 in so far as they affect this particular study. It therefore represents an original contribution resulting from a compilation and checking in the field of the work of a number of geologists.

The palæontological results are being worked out separately, but within the area, exposures are sufficient to provide a reliable correlation of the Carboniferous to Lower Permian succession recorded in a number of vertical sections. We have found that the very variable facies can best be grouped into the following formations, retaining so far as possible the earlier names:

The major Devonian diastrophism was followed by erosion, deposition, and again erosion in the Devonian. Culm of estuarine facies was then deposited in a basin due to subsequent movements along a great north-south Devonian fault-belt. They rest on the Devonian to the west of the fault-belt and on pre-Devonian to the east. After the Culm, local conglomerates reflect movements along this fault-belt at the western margin, and in the centre of the basin evaporites are developed. Although a number of disconformities can be traced, there is no important unconformity in the basin. The widespread transgressions recorded outside this area, equivalent to the base of the Cyathophyllum Limestones and again to that of the Brachiopod Cherts, are marked within the area by distinct change of facies but no angular relationship of the bedding.

The distribution of these various formations is shown in a geological map to a scale of 1:100,000, which is the first comprehensive topographical and geological map of the whole area to be published.

Type
Research Article
Information
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh , Volume 62 , Issue 2 , 1954 , pp. 299 - 356
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1954

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References to Literature

Allan, D. A., 1919. Letter re Billefjorden geology to J. M. Wordie.Google Scholar
Allan, D. A., 1942. “The Geology of Spitsbergen,” Proc. Liverpool Geol. Soc., XVIII, 37–48.Google Scholar
Backlund, H., 1908. “Observations dans le Spitsberg central.” St Petersbourg, 28 pages. Miss. sci. pour la mesure d'un arc de méridien au Spitsberg entreprises en 1899–1901 sous les auspices des gouvernements russe et suédois, Miss. Russ., II, Sect. 9, B, Géologie 2.Google Scholar
Bailey, E. B., and Holtedahl, O., 1938. “Northwest Europe. Caledonides”, Reg. Geol. der Erde, II, Ab. ii, 1–76.Google Scholar
Balchin, W. G. V., 1941. “The Raised Features of Billefjord and Sassenfjord, West Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., XCVII, 364–376.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barrell, J., 1925. “Marine and Terrestrial Conglomerates”, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., XXXVI, 279–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bruce, W. S., 1900. “Spitsbergen 1898 and 1900. Voyages with H. S. H. Prince of Monaco”, Scot. Geogr. Mag., XVI, 534–550.Google Scholar
Campbell, R., 1921. “Recent Contributions to the Geology of Spitsbergen”, Geol. Mag., LVIII, 235–236.Google Scholar
Charlesworth, J. K., 1919. MS. Geological Reports. Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate Expedition. (S.S.S. papers.)Google Scholar
Conway, Sir W. M., 1897. The First Crossing of Spitsbergen.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conway, Sir W. M., 1898. With Ski and Sledge over Arctic Glaciers.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1896. “Rapport om den svenska geologiska expeditionen till Isfjorden på Spetsbergen sommaren 1896”, Ymer, XVI, 259–266.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1901. “Spår efter maskar i en till Heklahooklagren hörande dolomit”, Geol. fören. Stockh. Förh., XXIII, 532.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1908. “Den Svenska Spetsbergs expeditionen år 1908”, Ymer Årg., XXVIII, 102–105, 341–344.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1910. “A Geological Excursion to Central Spitsbergen”, Stockholm. Guide de l'excursion au Spitsberg, XIeCongrès géologique internationale.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1919. “On tne Physiographical Evolution of Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Ann. Stockholm, I, 161–192.Google Scholar
De Geer, G., 1923. “Description topographique de la région explorée. Géologie”. Stockholm, 36 pages. Miss. sci. pour la mesure d'un arc de méridien au Spitsberg entreprises en 1899–1902 sous les auspices des gouvernements suédois et russe, Miss. Suédois, II, Sect. 9.Google Scholar
Elton, C. E., 1928. “The Nature and Origin of Soil-polygons in Spitsbergen”, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. London, lxxxiii, 163–194.Google Scholar
Fairbairn, P. E., 1933. “The Petrology of the Hecla Hook Formation in Central Spitsbergen”, Geol. Mag., LXX, 437–454.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feyling-Hanssen, R. W., 1950. “Changes of Sea Level in West Spitsbergen: A New Interpretation”, Geogr. Journ., CXV, 88–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fleming, W. L. S. (in collaboration with Edmonds J. M.), 1934. “Geology, Geomorphology and Glaciology. A. New Friesland”, Geogr. Journ., LXXXIV, 116–117.Google Scholar
Fleming, W. L. S., and Edmonds, J. M., 1941. “Hecla Hoek Rocks of New Friesland (Spitsbergen)”, Geol. Mag., LXXVIII, 405–428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Føyn, S., and Heintz, A., 1943. “The Downtonian and Devonian Vertebrates of Spitsbergen. VIII. The English Norwegian-Swedish Expedition, 1939” (Geological Results), Skr. Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders. Oslo, Nr. 85.Google Scholar
Frazer, R. A., 1924. “The Route of the Sledging Parties—Central Spitsbergen and North East Land” (Results of the Merton College (Oxford) Expedition to Spitsbergen, 1923), Geogr. Journ., LXIV, 193–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frebold, H., 1935. “Geologie von Spitzbergen, der Bäreninsel, des König-Karl- und Franz-Joseph-Landes”, Geol. der Erde, 1–195.Google Scholar
Frebold, H., 1937. “Das Festungsprofil auf Spitzbergen. IV. Die Brachiopoden- und Lamellibranchiatenfauna und die Stratigraphie des Oberkarbons und Unterperms. Nebst Beschreibung anderer Vorkommen in Svalbard”, Skr. Svalbard- og Ishavet. Oslo, Nr. 69, 1–94.Google Scholar
Gatty, O., Fleming, W. L. S., and Edmonds, J. M., 1942. “Some Types of Polygonal Surface Markings in Spitsbergen”, Amer. Journ. Sci., CCXL, 81–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harland, W. B., 1941. “Geological Notes on the Stubendorff Mountains, West Spitsbergen”, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., B, LXI, pt. 2, no. 10, 119–129.Google Scholar
Harland, W. B., 1952. “The Cambridge Spitsbergen Expedition, 1949”, Geogr. Journ., CXVIII, pt. 3, 309–331.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hägg, R., 1925. “A New Tertiary Fauna from Spitsbergen”, Bull. Geol. Inst. Univ. Upsala, XX, 39–56.Google Scholar
Heintz, A., 1937. “Die Downtonischen und Devonischen Vertebraten von Spitzbergen. VI. Lunaspis-Arten aus dem Devon Spitzbergens”, Skr. Svalbard og Ishavet. Oslo, Nr. 72, 1–23.Google Scholar
Hoel, A., 1925. “The Coal Deposits and Coal Mining of Svalbard (Spitsbergen and Bear Island)”, Result. Norske Spitsbergeneksped., I, no. 6, 1–92.Google Scholar
Hoel, A., 1937 (edit.). “Report on the Activities of Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-undersokelser, 1927–1936”, Skr. Svalbard og Ishavet, Nr. 73, 1–125.Google Scholar
Hoel, A., 1942 (edit.). “The Place-names of Svalbard”, Skr. Svalbard og Ishavet. Oslo, Nr. 80, 1–539.Google Scholar
Høeg, O. A., 1942. “The Downtonian and Devonian Flora of Spitsbergen”, Skr. Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders. Oslo, Nr. 83, 1–288.Google Scholar
Holtedahl, O., 1911. “Zur Kenntnis der Karbonablagerungen des westlichen Spitzbergens—1. Eine Fauna der Moskauer Stufe”, Videnselskapets Skrifter. I. Math.-Naturv. Klasse, No. 10, 1–46.Google Scholar
Holtedahl, O., 1914. “On the Old Red Sandstone Series of North-Western Spitsbergen”, C.R. XII, Cong. Geol. Int. Toronto, 1913, No. 12, 707–712.Google Scholar
Holtedahl, O., 1920. “On the Palæozoic Series of Bear Island, especially on the Heclahook System”, Norsk. Geol. Tidsskr., V, Kristiania, 121–148.Google Scholar
Holtedahl, O., 1925. “Some Points of Structural Resemblance between Spitsbergen and Great Britain, and between Europe and North America”, Avh. norske Vidensakad., Mat.-Nat. Kl. 1925, No. 4, 1–20 (Oslo).Google Scholar
Holtedahl, O., 1926. “Notes on the Geology of North-Western Spitsbergen”, Result. Norske Spitsbergeneksped., I, Nr. 8 (Oslo).Google Scholar
Horn, G., 1941. “A Middle Devonian Cannel Coal”, Norsk. Geol. Tidsskr., XXI, 13–18 (Oslo).Google Scholar
Huxley, J. S., and Odell, N. E., 1924. “Notes on Surface Markings in Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., LXIII, 207–229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jackson, R. M., 1931. “A Traverse from Ice Fjord to Widje Bay, Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., LXXVIII, 277–283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kulling, O., 1934. “Scientific Results of the Swedish-Norwegian Arctic Expedition in the Summer of 1931. Pt. XI. The ‘Hecla Hoek Formation’ round Hinlopenstretet (N.W. North-East Land, and N.E. West Spitsbergen)”, Geogr. Ann. Stockh., XVI, 161–254.Google Scholar
Kulling, O., and Ahlmann, W. H., 1936. “Scientific Results of the Swedish-Norwegian Arctic Expedition in the Summer of 1931. Pt. XII. Observations on Raised Beaches and their Faunas. Surface Markings”, Geogr. Ann. Stockh., XVIII. 1–19.Google Scholar
Lamplugh, G. W., 1910. “Stockholm to Spitsbergen: the Geologists' Pilgrimage”, Nature, LXXXV, 152–157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lyutkevich, E. M., 1937. “Geologicheski ocherk i problema uglenosnosti gory Piramidy ostroua Shpitsbergena (Geological Survey and the Problems of the Coal Fields of Mount Pyramiden, Vestspitsbergen)”, Trudy Arkt. Inst. Leningrad, LXXVI, 25–38.Google Scholar
McCabe, L. H., 1939. “Nivation and Corrie Erosion in West Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., XCIV, 447–465.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nathorst, A. G., 1910. “Beiträge zur Geologie der Bären-Insel, Spitzbergens und des König-Karl-Landes”, Bull. Geol. Inst. Univ. Upsala, X, 261–416.Google Scholar
Nilsson, T., 1941. “The Downtonian and Devonian Vertebrates of Spitsbergen. VII. Order Antiarchi”, Skr. Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders. Oslo, Nr. 82, 1–54.Google Scholar
Nordenskiöld, A. E., 1863. “Geografisk och geognostisk beskrifning öfver nordöstra delarne af Spetsbergen och Hinlopen Strait”, K. Svenska Vetensk.-Akad. Handl. Stockholm, IV, 1–25.Google Scholar
Obrutschew, S., 1927. “Geologische Skizze der Ostkiiste von Spitzbergen zwischen der Busen Whales Bay und Agardh Bay”, Ber. Wiss. Meeresinst., II, 59–88 (Moskva).(In Russian, German summary.)Google Scholar
Odéll, N. E., 1922. “Geological Notes from the Oxford Expedition to Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., LX, 424–426.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Odéll, N. E., 1927. “Preliminary Notes on the Geology of the Eastern Parts of Central Spitsbergen, with special reference to the Problem of the Hecla Hook Formation”, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. London, LXXXIII, 147–162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Orvin, A. K., 1934. “Geology of the Kings Bay Region, Spitsbergen, with special reference to the Coal Deposits”, Skr. Svalbard og Ishavet. Oslo, Nr. 57, 1–195.Google Scholar
Orvin, A. K., 1940. “Outline of the Geological History of Spitsbergen (with geological map)”, Skr. Svalbard og Ishavet. Oslo, Nr. 78, 1–57.Google Scholar
Orvin, A. K., 1947. “Bibliography of Literature about the Geology, Physical Geography, Useful Minerals and Mining of Svalbard”, Skr. Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders. Oslo, Nr. 89, 1–121.Google Scholar
Ravn, J. P. J., 1922. “On the Mollusca of the Tertiary of Spitsbergen”, Result. Norske Spitsberqeneksped. Oslo, I, Nr. 2, 1–28.Google Scholar
Sandford, K. S., 1926. “The Geology of North-East Land (Spitsbergen)”, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. London, LXXXII, 615–665.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sandford, K. S., 1949. “Observations on the Geology of the Northern Part of North-East Land, Spitsbergen”, Abst. Proc. Geol. Soc. London, No. 1455, 10–11. (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. London, CV, 461-493, 1950.)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schenk, E., 1937. “Kristallin und Devon im nördlichen Spitsbergen”, Geol. Rdsch. Leipzig., XXVIII, 112–124.Google Scholar
Slater, G., 1925. “Observations on the Nordenskiöld and Neighboring Glaciers of Spitsbergen, 1921”, Journ. Geol. Chicago, XXXIII, 408–446.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stensiö, E. A. jun., 1918. “Zur Kenntnis des Devons und des Kulms an der Klaas Billenbay, Spitzbergen”, Bull. Geol. Inst. Univ. Upsala, XVI, 65–80.Google Scholar
Stensiö, E. A., 1927. “Downtonian and Devonian Vertebrates of Spitsbergen. Pt. I. Family Cephalaspidæ”, Skr. Svalbardog Ishavet. (Result. Norske Spitsbergeneksped.), Oslo, Nr. 12, 1–391, Pl. 122.Google Scholar
Stefanov, D. L., 1937. “Permskie Brackiopody Shpitsbergena (Permian Brachiopods of Spitsbergen)”, Trudy Arkt. Inst. Leningrad, LXXVI, 105–192.Google Scholar
Stevens, A., 1919. MS. Preliminary Report on the Geology of Certain Areas on the Estates of Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate. (S.S.S. papers.)Google Scholar
Teichert, C., 1939. “Geology of Greenland”, Geol. der Erde, I, 100–175.Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1919. MS. Report on the Carboniferous Rocks of Klaas Billen Bay. (S.S.S. papers.)Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1921. “Geographical Observations in Spitsbergen, 1919 and 1920”, Scot. Geogr. Mag., XXXVII, 227–242.Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1922. “The Glaciers of Spitsbergen”, Trans. Geol. Soc. Glasgow, XVII, 1–48.Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1924 a. “The Pre-Devonian Basement Complex of Central Spitsbergen”, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., LIII, 209–229.Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1924 b. “The Geology of Prince Charles Foreland, Spitsbergen”, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., LIII, 443–478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., 1949. “Discussion re Sandford, 1949”, Abst. Proc. Geol. Soc. London, No. 1455, 11–12.Google Scholar
Tyrrell, G. W., and Sandford, K. S., 1933. “Geology and Petrology of the Dolerites of Spitsbergen”, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., LIII, 284–321.Google Scholar
Vogt, Th., 1938. “The Stratigraphy and Tectonics of the Old Red Formations of Spitsbergen”, Abst. Proc. Geol. Soc. London, No. 1343, 88.Google Scholar
Vogt, Th., 1941. “Geology of a Middle Devonian Cannel Coal from Spitsbergen”, Norsk. Geol. Tidsskr. Oslo, XXI, 1–12.Google Scholar
Werenskiold, W., and Oftedal, I., 1922. “A Burning Coal Seam at Mt. Pyramid, Spitsbergen”, Result. Norske Spitsbergeneksped. Oslo, I, Nr. 3, 1–14.Google Scholar
Wordie, J. M., 1919. MS. Report on the Carboniferous Exposures north of Adolf Bay (Spitsbergen). (S.S.S. papers.)Google Scholar
Wordie, J. M., 1921. “Present-day Conditions in Spitsbergen”, Geogr. Journ., LVIII, 25–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar