Photointerpretation of Tertiary structures in platform cover strata of interior Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen

• Published in: Polar Research
• Main Author: Maher Jr., Harmon D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 1998
• Subjects: Oscar II; Oscar II Land; Kapp Starostin; Gipshuken; Polar Research; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/2429; https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v6i2.6857

A structural map of Oscar II Land compiled using black and white, stereo-pair air photos and other available information sources suggests the existence of three structural zones within the deformed platform cover strata. The western zone consists of basement involved overthrusts of complex geometry in the north large-scale folds of platform cover strata with a stepped, down to the east profile in the south. The central zone consists primarily of folds within Kapp Starostin Fm. and overlying Triassic strata that likely formed above a subhorizontal décollement within Gipshuken Fm. strata. Farther to the east thrusts emplace Permian Kapp Starostin Fm. strata over Triassic strata. This zone probably represents stratigraphic climb of the basal decollement. Conservative estimates of shortening for the central and eastern zones are in the 15-25% range. The contribution of the western zone structures to overall Tertiary shortening depends on the geometry of faults underlying the stepped folds and is uncertain at present. Changes along strike are in part due to differential levels of erosion and changes in transport direction, but also probably important was variable thickness of the platform cover strata involved (less to the north) and the availability of incompetent horizons along which thrust-fiats could form. Two areas with anomalous structural trends may represent oblique ramps.