Late Quaternary tectonics in western Sorkapp Land, Spitsbergen

Abstract

Photogeologic analysis and fieldworks in the Bunge Glacier area indicate symptoms of the Late Quaternary tectonic phenomena in western SØrkapp Land, southern Spitsbergen. The fault zones cut pre-Quaternary outcrops of Stupryggen and Kulmrabben as well as the raised marine beaches. This tectonics is due to land release during the late SØrkapp Land (= Vistulian, Wòrm) Glaciation when a considerable retreat of glaciers in Spitsbergen occurred. Evidences of such Late Quaternary tectonic movements call for a revision of the commonly applied hypsometric correlation of raised marine beaches in this area.