SEDIMENTOLOGY OF THE PALEOGENE SUCCESSION AT CALYPSOSTRANDA, SVALBARD

January 2016

February 2018

The study encompasses sedimentological investigations of the Calypsostranda Group, where outcrops are well exposed in a coastal section at Renardodden, western Spitsbergen. The succession is important to understand in the context of the regional pattern of Paleogene sedimentation and deformation in west Spitsbergen.

The succession consists of delta plain sediments of the Skilvika Formation and paralic to marine sediments of the Renardodden Formation. Through sedimentological outcrop investigations, sixteen lithofacies have been identified by means of facies recognition and break-down. The deposits have further been divided into a five-stage depositional model that involves a major transgressive phase drowning previously subaerial deposits, followed by normal regression with delta progradation.

Given the uncertainty of the ages of the deposits, three different palaeogeographical scenarios have been presented and described.

William Helland-Hansen