S5:Svalbard Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Barents Sea

Paleogene succession; the Van Mijenfjorden Group. TSE 7: Paleogene – foreland basin. The up to 1.9 km thick Paleogene Van Mijenfjorden Group occurs in the CTB and consists of a Paleocene and an Eocene succession (Fig. a). The Paleocene succession consists of offshore shale (the Basilika Formation) and intercalated sandstone wedges of shallow marine and paralic origin (i.e., the Firkanten, Grumantbyen and Hollendardalen formations; Figs a and b). The paralic lower part of the Firkanten Formation (i.e., the Todalen Member) represents the most important coal-bearing unit in Svalbard. The abandoned Svea Nord mine in Van Mijenfjorden (Fig. b) experienced locally thickness of more than 5m pure coal. The current coal production in Mine 7, Adventdalen, extracts the Longyear seam which normally is thinner than 2m (Fig. c). The Eocene basin fill consists of a several hundred metres thick basin floor shale unit (the Frysjaodden Formation), which gradually passes upwards into shallow marine to deltaic sandstones (the Battfjellet Formation; Fig. d) and continental strata (the Aspelintoppen Formation; Fig. e), reflecting overall regressive conditions. Spectacular seismic-scale outcrops, such as the renown Storvola mountain display clinoforms which constitutes a characteristic and spectacular motif of the basin fill with laterally extensive shelf to slope and basin floor facies belts (Fig. f)