Caledonian shear zone deformation in Svalbard (Arctic) and its implications for the terrane transfer

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Werner von Gosen
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2012 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231870598

The Caledonides of the Arctic in Svalbard are interpreted as a terrane collage in which different terranes were assembled along strike-slip faults. On the one hand, the terranes are related to original areas in the Caledonian orogen of east or north Greenland, on the other hand to the Pearya terrane in the Canadian Arctic. At the present, two known shear zones show sinistral displacements, however, in one area indications for dextral lateral slips were found. Also the present knowledge about the deformations between the shear zones in part is contradictory. Based on the results from two previous expeditions, structural analyses during the CASE 14-Expedition shall work out the Caledonian deformations and kinematic of shear zones in two selected areas of Svalbard. The results can contribute to a deeper understanding of the internal deformations of the Svalbard terranes, their relations to the strike-slip faulting, and the fault kinematics. Furthermore, they can also contribute to the knowledge of the overall mode of the Caledonian terrane transfer in the Arctic and the origin of the terranes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants