{"id":15702,"date":"2018-10-24T11:25:56","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/?page_id=15702"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:08:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:08:56","slug":"the-geology-of-svalbard","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/themes\/the-geology-of-svalbard\/","title":{"rendered":"The geology of Svalbard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2p046yh-726496db4f074f1ea67c2efad959459c\">\n.flex_column.av-2p046yh-726496db4f074f1ea67c2efad959459c{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-2p046yh-726496db4f074f1ea67c2efad959459c av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-3hzg7g9-a11a2c47585941fc127fa4e0ba675af2 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The experience you get from entering Hornsund with peaks of lime stone, the nunataks of eastern Spitsbergen or the unreal red hues of Woodfjorden are wildly different.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14715\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14715\" class=\"wp-image-14715 size-featured\" src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/NP019119-woodfjorden-1024x430.jpg\" alt=\"Red colored mountains\" width=\"1024\" height=\"430\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The landscape around Woodfjorden is characterized by red-coloured Devonian sandstones. Photo: Norwegian Polar Institute<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A comparable diversity is not found anywhere else in northern Europe and no other places are so many geological periods conserved in rock. In addition to this an unusual amount of rock is exposed, with little soil or vegetation cover, and can therefore be studied uninterrupted over long sections.<\/p>\n<p>During most of its geological history, Svalbard was submerged, and almost continuously deposited sand, gravel, mud, lime, etc., were progressively altered into bedrock. There is little soil in Svalbard and no forrests or agricultural areas which would hide the rock formations. The naked landscape permits clear insight into its geological structure. Although most of the land area is covered by glaciers, Svalbard is one of the few places in the world which provide excellent access to study sections of representing most of earth&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<p>Svalbard is a natural geological archive and a laboratory where the geological processes of the past and present are being demonstrated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-23y7dvd-3da4d476bd4403cddba69d7be7b49694\">\n.flex_column.av-23y7dvd-3da4d476bd4403cddba69d7be7b49694{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-23y7dvd-3da4d476bd4403cddba69d7be7b49694 av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_masonry_gallery  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-mng6l6yy-23b90d36942b391333a4ebea6f8511cb '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Publications<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nva.sikt.no\/registration\/0198cc763b6d-e101ec33-375b-482d-b897-a55839c59a24\">Geoscience atlas of Svalbard <\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nva.sikt.no\/registration\/01993e3f3bc3-dbbfba6c-b325-4cb7-add0-48e20193a364\">Geology of Svalbard (2007)<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"title\">Related pages<\/h3>\n<div class=\"NP-factsheet-content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/themes\/jan-mayen\/#geology\">The geology of Jan&nbsp; Mayen<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/themes\/bouvetoya\/#geology\">The geology of Bouvet\u00f8ya<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/themes\/geology-of-antarctica\/\">The geology&nbsp; of Antarctica<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div id='av-masonry-1' class='av-masonry av-jnn0geog-67005825f3777f88da827510102dbcdd noHover av-flex-size av-large-gap av-hover-overlay- av-masonry-animation- av-masonry-col-flexible av-caption-always av-caption-style- av-masonry-gallery ' data-post_id=\"15702\"><div class=\"av-masonry-container isotope av-js-disabled\"><div class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item av-masonry-item-no-image '><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15710' data-av-masonry-item='15710' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15710 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15710 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15710\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-bedrock-geology-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Bedrock geology<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15712' data-av-masonry-item='15712' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15712 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15712 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15712\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-karst-geology-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Karst geology<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15714' data-av-masonry-item='15714' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15714 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15714 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15714\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-landscape-types-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Landscape types<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15716' data-av-masonry-item='15716' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15716 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15716 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15716\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-rock-types-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Rock types<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15718' data-av-masonry-item='15718' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15718 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15718 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15718\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-surface-material-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Surface material<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-762x1030.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\"  aria-label=\"image map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000\"  id='av-masonry-1-item-15720' data-av-masonry-item='15720' class='av-masonry-entry isotope-item post-15720 attachment type-attachment status-inherit hentry  av-masonry-item-with-image' title=\"map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000\" alt=\"kart\"    itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><div class='av-inner-masonry-sizer'><\/div><figure class='av-inner-masonry main_color'><div class=\"av-masonry-outerimage-container\"><div class='av-masonry-image-container'  ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"521\" height=\"705\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-15720 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15720\"  src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-521x705.jpg\" title=\"map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000\" alt=\"kart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-521x705.jpg 521w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-450x608.jpg 450w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-768x1038.jpg 768w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000-762x1030.jpg 762w, https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/map-svalbard-tectonic-structure-2000000.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/div><\/div><figcaption class='av-inner-masonry-content site-background'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos'><div class='av-inner-masonry-content-pos-content'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><div class='av-masonry-entry-content entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" >Tectonic structure<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><!--end av-masonry entry--><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1clta9l-14d257da8fbfb80cc1be422203944e0e\">\n.flex_column.av-1clta9l-14d257da8fbfb80cc1be422203944e0e{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-1clta9l-14d257da8fbfb80cc1be422203944e0e av_one_full  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_masonry_gallery  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-3hzg7g9-76725b19308125ff1ad6f1a9c56b4fd8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><section class=\"paragraph clearfix\">\n<h2 class=\"heading--section-title\">Three main geological units<\/h2>\n<p>Svalbards geological records can be subdivided into three main units: the metamorphic basement complex, the unaltered sedimentary cover rocks, and unconsolidated deposits.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='togglecontainer av-2vqwrg9-9d26ab9e51373285284ef9ef7d3dc20c av-minimal-toggle  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  toggle_close_all' >\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-1itk05y-15a460b8ac08af822331137e68eaf746'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p id='toggle-toggle-id-1' data-fake-id='#toggle-id-1' class='toggler  av-title-above '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-1' data-slide-speed=\"200\" data-title=\"Basement\" data-title-open=\"\" data-aria_collapsed=\"Click to expand: Basement\" data-aria_expanded=\"Click to collapse: Basement\">Basement<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-1' aria-labelledby='toggle-toggle-id-1' role='region' class='toggle_wrap  av-title-above'  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><div id=\"attachment_14716\" style=\"width: 797px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/NP019144-grunnfjellet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14716\" class=\"wp-image-14716 size-featured\" src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/NP019144-grunnfjellet-787x430.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain\" width=\"787\" height=\"430\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14716\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The bedrock is the oldest mountain, and has gone through many changes.<span class=\"credit\"> Photo: Winfried Dallmann, Norwegian Polar Institute<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The basement complex represents the oldest rocks. These are igneous or metamorphic rocks which after erosion were covered by flat-lying sedimentary beds. The strongest altered rocks occur in northwestern Spitsbergen and in the north of Nordaustlandet. The basement complex has undergone several periods of mountain building, with folding and metamorphism. Traces of the oldest events are almost wiped out by the younger ones. The last main mountain building episode was the Caledonian Orogeny which occurred during the Early Palaeozoic, about 410-440 million years ago. After its cessation, when the mountains had been uplifted, water and weather started to erode the newborn mountain chain.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-1969v06-9c9018688d696e992a6c2fffbec57ef3'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p id='toggle-toggle-id-2' data-fake-id='#toggle-id-2' class='toggler  av-title-above '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-2' data-slide-speed=\"200\" data-title=\"Sedimentary cover rocks\" data-title-open=\"\" data-aria_collapsed=\"Click to expand: Sedimentary cover rocks\" data-aria_expanded=\"Click to collapse: Sedimentary cover rocks\">Sedimentary cover rocks<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-2' aria-labelledby='toggle-toggle-id-2' role='region' class='toggle_wrap  av-title-above'  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><div id=\"attachment_14718\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/NP019120-templet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14718\" class=\"wp-image-14718 size-featured\" src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/NP019120-templet-1024x430.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain\" width=\"1024\" height=\"430\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14718\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The mountain Templet in the end of Isfjorden consists of flat lying sediments from the Permian period.<span class=\"credit\"> Photo: Winfried Dallmann, Norwegian Polar Institute<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The denudated mountains ended up as huge masses of sand, gravel and mud, which were deposited on river plains and in the sea during the Devonian period, ca. 360-410 million years ago. Later, new depositional episodes formed limestone successions during the Carboniferous and Permian, and sandstone-shale successions during the Mesozoic and Tertiary until about 40 million years ago. During initial stages of the ocean-floor spreading which led to the formation of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans in the early part of the Tertiary (ca. 60-40 million years ago), the western part of Spitsbergen was folded again to form a new mountain ridge. East of this ridge, from the Isfjorden area to the south, a trough-shaped structure \u2013 the Central Tertiary Basin &#8211; was formed with the youngest beds in the core and the oldest on the flanks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-qwx5zq-b412e55a308dff6344be98c599e644f0'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p id='toggle-toggle-id-3' data-fake-id='#toggle-id-3' class='toggler  av-title-above '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-3' data-slide-speed=\"200\" data-title=\"Unconsolidated deposits\" data-title-open=\"\" data-aria_collapsed=\"Click to expand: Unconsolidated deposits\" data-aria_expanded=\"Click to collapse: Unconsolidated deposits\">Unconsolidated deposits<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-3' aria-labelledby='toggle-toggle-id-3' role='region' class='toggle_wrap  av-title-above'  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><section class=\"paragraph clearfix\">\n<div id=\"attachment_14754\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/halvdanpiggen-Sv01-05-06.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14754\" class=\"wp-image-14754 size-featured\" src=\"https:\/\/npolar.no\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/halvdanpiggen-Sv01-05-06-800x430.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain rock\" width=\"800\" height=\"430\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14754\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Halvdanpiggen in Woodfjorden. Photo: Winfried Dallmann \/ Norwegian Polar Institute<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>The youngest deposits are those of Quaternary age which ranges to the present. These are mostly unconsolidated deposits formed during and after the last ice age which ended about 10,000 years ago: moraines, fluvial deposits, beach deposits, talus and scree. Even volcanoes were active during parts of the Quaternary in northwestern Svalbard. Thermal springs which are related to this volcanism are still active.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14723,"parent":3607,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"emne":[103],"class_list":["post-15702","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","emne-geology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15702"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54165,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15702\/revisions\/54165"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15702"},{"taxonomy":"emne","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emne?post=15702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}