One of the best exposed thrust stack wedges in Spitsbergen’s fold-thrust belt occurs at Mediumfjellet.

This wedge provides excellent opportunity to study the time-space interaction of different structural styles, e.g. in-sequence versus out-of-sequence thrusts and related folds and wrench-structures, and the processes responsible for uplift of Svalbard in the Early Cenozoic.

The projects main goal is to test structural timing, kinematics and processes of fold-thrust belt development as a basis for analogue modelling, high-resolution strain modelling, and comparison with synthetic offshore seismic data in order to better resolve the seismic expression of the structure.

Working methods will include detailed structural field work in conjunction with 3-D terrestrial and helicopter-based virtual outcrop scanning of key areas, and integrated use of offshore seismic reflection data from Isfjorden.

The aim is to develop a visual 3D image geomodel of this part of the fold-thrust belt, and address the geometry and fracture systems as an analogue petroleum model to fold-thrust belt reservoirs, such as the Zagros belt in Iran.

More information
Contact Alvar Braathen, Professor in Structure Geology

Imbricate stack of Mediumfjellet, involving the Permian and Triassic section. Note the thrust repetition and large fault-propagation folds. (Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen).