Workshop: Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic basement of Svalbard - state of knowledge and new perspectives of investigations

The Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic basement of Svalbard represents an old geotectonic complex with elements of several earlier tectonic terranes, orogeneses and other tectonothermal events. Our knowledge of the early Earth's history of the Arctic region depends on the understanding of these. Although individual researchers and research groups concerned with the Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic (= pre-Caledonian) basement of Svalbard have been in contact in the past, they have worked independently of eac h other and developed various experiences, which not necessarily are mediated through scientific publications. The planned workshop is thought to gather leading scientists and young researchers of this field of geology, primarily from Norway, Poland, Swed en, Germany, Great Britain and the Russian Federation. Together, they represent a wide range of geological disciplines like large-scale geotectonic reconstructions, palaeogeography, metamorphic petrology, mineralogy, structural geology, geochemistry and p alaeomagnetism. Important localities along the northern and western shores of Svalbard will be visited by using a ship, the Polish vessel Horyzont II, during one week in early September. Problems will be discussed on the outcrops. The programme during th e workshop will consist of (1) an official opening session at UNIS (Longyearbyen) and official meetings with the representatives of the Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund administration (onboard) as well at the Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, (2) numerous semi nars and poster sessions onboard, and (3) numerous geological field excursions. Besides scientific geological problems, discussions will focus on developing strategies for coordinated future research with respect to achieve good synergies concerning maxim um scientific results at low cost and low environmental impact. Abstracts of the seminar contributions as well as the results of the discussions will be presented in a report published by the end of 2013.