Early Tertiary bentonites from Svalbard

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Paleontological and petrological studies of clay beds in the Basilika Formation (Tertiary age) are presented. The petrology of the beds indicates that their main constituents were derived from volcanic activity and represent bentonites. Differing composition between beds suggests several spatially separated eruptions. The volcanic source area probably lay towards the N of the present Tertiary outcrops of Svalbard. Two foraminiferal assemblages are found in the bentonites: the lower is dominated by arenaceous forms while the upper consists of calcareous species.