Published July 12, 2024
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On the Billefjorden fault zone in Garmdalen, central Spitsbergen: implications for the mapping of major fault zones during geological fieldwork and for the tectonic history of Svalbard
Authors/Creators
- 1. Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Oslo, 0371, Norway
- 2. Rare Earths Norway A.S, Brennebu A.S., Ulefoss, 3830, Norway
- 3. Earth Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, 5007, Norway
Description
The present study reexamines the geometry, kinematics, and tectonic history of a major fault zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the Balliolbreen Fault segment of the Billefjorden Fault Zone. Thus far, the latter fault was believed to represent a hundreds to thousands of kilometers long discontinuity in the crust, possibly linking with major faults in northern Scotland (e.g., Great Glen Fault). In addition, it was believed to have accommodated hundreds to thousands of kilometers of lateral displacement between 500 Ma and 400 Ma based on similar rock types in northern Scotland and northern Spitsbergen and between northeastern Svalbard and northern Greenland, thus suggesting discrete origins for the crustal blocks constituting the Svalbard Archipelago.
Our results and recent studies show that the Balliolbreen Fault formed c. 65–30 million years ago, i.e., much later than previously proposed, that it dips gently to the east (instead of steeply), and that it accommodated a limited amount of vertical (instead of large lateral) tectonic movements. The fault likely formed between weak Lower Devonian (c. 420-390 million years old) rock units, which consist of fine-grained rocks easily deformed into folds during tectonic events, and strong Pennsylvanian-Permian (c. 330-290 million years old) rock units, which consist of coarse-grained rocks that do not deform easily and, instead, rupture once enough tectonic movement has occurred. The study has implications for how geoscientists map major faults during fieldwork and how they interpret structural datasets and extensively eroded outcrops transects. It also suggests that the Svalbardian Orogeny, a major episode of tectonic contraction, which presumably occurred c. 380-370 million years ago in Arctic regions, did not occur. The study calls for more interdisciplinary approaches when performing scientific research, especially when mapping major fault zones during geological fieldwork. It also highlights the need of more composite educational backgrounds for researchers.
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