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Late Precambrian diamictites of northeastern Svalbard

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

M. J. Hambrey
M. J. Hambrey
Affiliation:
Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of CambridgeDowning Street Cambridge CB2 3EQ, U.K.
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Summary

In northeastern Spitsbergen and western Nordaustlandet well preserved Late Precambrian diamictites have variously been interpreted as tillites or the product of tectonic activity. By focusing on the sedimentology of the diamictites in two key areas, this paper presents unequivocal evidence that the diamictites are indeed glacigenic, confirming the conclusions of previous field investigations. In particular dropstones in large numbers and striated stones are diagnostic of glacial transport, while other characteristics are strongly suggestive of glacial conditions.

Stratigraphic studies indicate two discrete glacial episodes, both belonging to the Varangian epoch. The earlier resulted in a thin tillite sequence deposited in a shallow shelf-tidal-lacustrine environment. It is closely associated with stromatolitic dolostones. The later episode resulted in a tillite sequence a few hundred metres thick with two units in northeastern Spitsbergen separated and bounded by dolostone units. Deposition occurred in a shallow marine environment but occasional uplift led to terrestrial conditions and the deposition of fluvioglacial sediments and the development of periglacial phenomena.

Type
Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 119 , Issue 6 , November 1982 , pp. 527 - 551
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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