Fracture characterization of intrusions and the surrounding sedimentary rocks in Gipsdalen and Geese Island, Central Isfjorden, RiS ID 10911

This project aims at characterizing the fracture network in and around in exposed intrusions emplaced in sedimentary rocks in central Spitsbergen. The characterization of the fracture network in and around outcropping intrusions plays an important role in the assessment of the potential impact of igneous intrusions on subsurface fluid flow. It is also vital to develop physical models for the evolution of the fracture network. The excellent exposures of igneous intrusions in central Spitsbergen can provide the required quantitative data on the fracture network. This field data is of critical importance to test and improve the proposed physical models. In addition, the results will improve our understanding of the fracture network signature in seismic data, which is required when assessing the effect of subsurface intrusions on fluid flow, for instance with respect to CO2 sequestration.