A renewed tectonostratigraphic framework of the Southwestern Basement Province of Svalbard

The project "A renewed tectonostratigraphic framework of the Southwestern Basement Province of Svalbard" is a joint geological research project being conducted by the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI; Tromsø) and the Russian Polar Marine Geological Expedition (PMGRE; St. Petersburg). These institutes have cooperated sporadically in geological mapping of and research in Svalbard since 1989, and seek to strengthen their relation through this project. A preparatory workshop took place in Tromsø 20-22 May 2015. Participants from Polar Marine Geological Expedition (St.Petersburg), University of Uppsala, University of Kracow and NPI attended the meeting. The workshop was successful, scientific ideas and results were exchanged, which is considered to be of great value for both Russian and Norwegian geologists working in Svalbard.

The Norwegian Polar Institute and the Polar Marine Geological Expedition, St. Petersburg, have had cooperation at geological mapping in Svalbard since 1989, which has been discontinued after 2009. This project aims at a renewal of joint work at questions of high importance for both parts. Geological maps of the basement area of southwestern Svalbard from the 1980s/early 1990s are based on a tentative tectonostratigraphy, and partly lack correlations at all. Newer data reveal a base for redeveloping the tectonostratigraphic framework. Field mapping, structural, petrological and geochronological studies will be undertaken. Results will be published and new geological maps generated.