Geology of Hopen, Svalbard

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Abstract
Summary: Hopen (Hope Island) in the Svalbard archipelago is difficult of access and only recently has reliable geological information become available. Published information is reviewed and combined with new observations.The island, 37 km long and no more than 2.5 km wide or 370 m high is structurally simple with flat-lying arenaceous strata which are described with three measured sections. Three new local stratal units are defined: Iversenfjellet Formation (325 m, base not seen); Flatsalen Shale Formation (55 m); and Lyngefjellet Sandstone Formation (80 m, top not seen).From a few ammonite, bivalve, saurian and plant megafossil occurrences and 30 palynomorph taxa (newly recorded) the marine and fluviatile facies range in age from possibly late Karnian, through Norian, Rhaetian and possibly into early Jurassic. The Rhaetian flora, well established palynologically, is the first clear evidence of rocks of this age in Svalbard. Associated Sirenites extends the range of this ammonite and suggests that Svalbard may yield significant new evidence for this span of Earth history.

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