Late Quaternary foraminiferal stratigraphy from western Svalbard

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Abstract
In the lower part of sections at Skilvika and Linneelva, western Svalbard, marine silts and sands characterized by infinite radiocarbon ages (Cassidulina reniforme, Astrononion gallowayi and/or Elphidium excavatum. The richest zones at both localities are found in the sub‐till units and contain more than 20 foraminiferal species, including some boreal‐arctic species. These faunal assemblages are similar to the living faunas on the west coast of Svalbard. Faunas from the postglacial climatic optimum are not yet described. We suggest that the foraminiferal assemblages in the sub‐till sediment reflect Early or Middle Weichselian interstadial environments, although an Eemian interglacial cannot be excluded.