The Svalbard Carboniferous to Cenozoic Composite Tectono-Stratigraphic Element

Abstract

The Svalbard Composite Tectono-Stratigraphic Element is located on the north-western corner of the Barents Shelf and comprises a Carboniferous to Pleistocene sedimentary succession. Due to Cenozoic uplift the succession is subaerially exposed in the Svalbard archipelago. The oldest parts of the succession consist of Carboniferous to Permian mixed siliciclastic, carbonate and evaporite and spiculitic sediments that developed during multiple phases of extension. The majority of the Mesozoic succession is composed of siliciclastic deposits formed in sag basins and continental platforms. Episodes of Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous contraction are evident in the eastern part of the archipelago and in nearby offshore areas. Differential uplift related to the opening of the Amerasian Basin and the Cretaceous emplacement of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province created a major hiatus spanning from most of the Late Cretaceous and early Danian throughout the Svalbard Composite Tectono-Stratigraphic Element. The West Spitsbergen Fold and Thrust Belt and the associated foreland basin in central Spitsbergen (Central Tertiary Basin) formed as a response to the Eurekan orogeny and the progressive northward opening of the North Atlantic during the Palaeogene. This event was followed by formation of yet another major hiatus spanning the Oligocene to Pliocene. Multiple reservoir and source rock units are exposed in Svalbard providing analogues to the offshore prolific offshore acreages in southwest Barents Sea and are important for de-risking of plays and prospects. However, the archipelago itself is regarded as high-risk acreage for petroleum exploration. This is due to Palaeogene contraction and late Neogene uplift of particularly the western and central parts. In the east there is an absence of mature source rocks, and the entire region is subjected to strict environmental protection.