The Richarddalen Complex: a part of the Southwestern Svalbard's Province in the northwest? (RiS ID:10910)

We are planning to collect a comprehensive suite of high-pressure lithologies for petrological and geochronological studies. The additional target will be shear zones, where detailed field observations, structural measurements and sampling of the mylonites will be performed. The multi-technique U-Pb zircon dating together with trace element analyses will be used to obtained the age of metamorphism for eclogites from Richarddalen Complex. The "agmatites" and augen gneisses will be dated as well. Additional P-T studies are also planned. This combined field and analytical strategy will allow for clarification of currently doubtful tectonostratigraphic position of the Richarddalen Complex. New data, including field relationships, structures and age constraints will provide more regional information and a link to other high-pressure rocks on Svalbard. Moreover, all results planned in frame of this project will help us to better understand the Caledonian orogeny and enigmatic late Neoproterozoic orogeny (Torellian, c. 640 Ma). It will also contribute to more accurate reconstructions for this part of the Arctic. The new data from the Richarddalen Complex will contribute to the Norwegian Polar Institute?s geological mapping program led by Synnøve Elvevold (RiS ID: 2403). This proposal is also part of the bigger project Neoproterozoic Arctic Connections (NAC) RiS ID: 10512?.