Go to GEUS Bulletin homepage
Register
Register
Login
Login
Vol. 50 | 2022

Lithostratigraphy, geology and geochemistry of the Tertiary volcanic rocks on Svartenhuk Halvø and adjoining areas, West Greenland

MONOGRAPH
Published October 10, 2022
https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v50.8295
Jørgen Gutzon Larsen
+
,  Lotte Melchior Larsen
+
MONOGRAPH
Published October 10, 2022
https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v50.8295
Photo of mountain showing rock formations
Abstract
Supplementary Files
Funding
Downloads
References
Keywords

Palaeogene, Flood basalts, Vaigat Formation, Svartenhuk Formation, Naqerloq Formation

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Jørgen Gutzon Larsen, Lotte Melchior Larsen

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

GEUS Bulletin is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). This article is distributed under a CC-BY 4.0 licence, permitting free redistribution and reproduction for any purpose, even commercial, provided proper citation of the original work. Author(s) retain copyright over the article contents. Read the full open access policy.

PDF HTML Side by Side E-pub

Abstract

The Palaeogene volcanic succession in the northern part of the Nuussuaq Basin in West Greenland comprises three formations: the Vaigat and Svartenhuk Formations of Paleocene age (61–58 Ma) and the Naqerloq Formation of Eocene age (57–54 Ma). In this study, we formalise and describe the volcanic stratigraphy on Svartenhuk Halvø and the areas with lavas that flowed across the basin boundary onto the adjoining basement areas in the north and east. The Vaigat Formation comprises three members. The Kakilisaat and Nerutusoq Members are of minor volume and consist of, respectively, crustally contaminated basalts and chemically enriched basalts with relatively high contents of incompatible trace elements. They are overlain by the voluminous Nunavik Member of tholeiitic picrites (MgO ≥12 wt%) and subordinate magnesian basalts. The oldest volcanic deposits are commonly foreset-bedded hyaloclastites, and the overlying subaerial lavas are mainly thin, grey, crumbling flows. Eruption sites were mainly within the basin, with depocentres in the south and hyaloclastite and lava transport directions towards the north. Thicknesses vary from up to at least 2000 m in the south to ≥380 m in the northernmost exposures close to 72°N. The Svartenhuk Formation comprises four members. The lowest, Kuugaartorfik Member, is up to 100 m thick and consists partly of quartzofeldspathic and partly volcanogenic sediments; it is restricted to northern Svartenhuk Halvø and the Innerit peninsula. The overlying volcanic Tunuarsuk, Nuuit and Skalø Members are voluminous and widespread, with a combined thickness of up to 1800 m. They consist of tholeiitic basalts with similar chemical compositions but with correlatable stratigraphic variation patterns. The Tunuarsuk Member consists of interspersed flow groups of thin, grey flows and massive, brown flows; the Nuuit Member comprises mainly massive brown flows, and the Skalø Member is dominated by light grey flows. The Svartenhuk Formation oversteps the Vaigat Formation on the basement in the north and east. In these distal areas the Tunuarsuk and Nuuit Members constitute the major volumes, and preserved thicknesses are up to 1400 m. In northern and eastern Svartenhuk Halvø and also farther to the north and east, foreset-bedded hyaloclastites indicate transport directions towards the north and possibly east from eruption sites within the basin. The Naqerloq Formation comprises one member, the Arfertuarsuk Member, consisting of flows of brown basalt with relatively enriched chemistry and a single trachyte flow. The member is only found in western Svartenhuk Halvø and on Skalø, where it conformably overlies the older lavas with up to 350 m thickness preserved after erosion. Dykes of all three formations are present. The distribution of dykes of the Naqerloq Formation suggests that this originally extended much farther east. Picrites and basalts of the Vaigat and Svartenhuk Formations are geochemically related; the picritic lavas represent erupted primitive magmas, whereas the basaltic lavas represent fractionated melts formed in deep magma chambers. The melts formed from a geochemically depleted but heterogeneous mantle; in addition melts from enriched sources were occasionally incorporated. The enriched basalts of the Naqerloq Formation arose from another mantle source. Low contents of V, Cu and Ni in some crustally contaminated lavas indicate that accumulation of these elements may be present at depth.

Keywords

Palaeogene, Flood basalts, Vaigat Formation, Svartenhuk Formation, Naqerloq Formation

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Jørgen Gutzon Larsen, Lotte Melchior Larsen

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

GEUS Bulletin is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). This article is distributed under a CC-BY 4.0 licence, permitting free redistribution and reproduction for any purpose, even commercial, provided proper citation of the original work. Author(s) retain copyright over the article contents. Read the full open access policy.

Supplementary Files

Funding

The work was primarily funded by GGU and later GEUS. The report by Larsen & Larsen (2010) was funded by a consortium of oil companies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Read More In This Issue

The upper Cretaceous–Tertiary Nuussuaq Basin in West Greenland contains a thick succession of siliciclastic sediments and overlying volcanic rocks. The first studies in the early 19th century were centred on the coal and fossils in the sediments and minerals in the volcanic rocks. The present focus of interest includes modern [...]

Browse issue >
Volume 50 cover

References

  • Abdelmalak, M.M., Geoffroy, L., Angelier, J., Bonin, B., Callot, J.P., Gélard, J.P. & Aubourg, C. 2012: Stress fields acting during lithosphere breakup above a melting mantle: A case example in West Greenland. Tectonophysics 581, 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2011.11.020
  • Agranier, A., Maury, R.C., Geoffroy, L., Chauvet, F., Le Gall, B. & Viana, A.R. 2019: Volcanic record of continental thinning in Baffin Bay margins: Insights from Svartenhuk Halvø Peninsula basalts, West Greenland. Lithos 334–335, 117–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2019.03.017
  • Andreasen, F. 1981: Sedimentological observations in Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks in the northern part of the West Greenland sedimentary basin. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 105, 26–27. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v105.7746
  • Bonow, J.M. 2005: Re-exposed landforms in the Disko region, West Greenland – disregarded data for estimation of glacial erosion and uplift modelling. Geomorphology 72, 106–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.05.006
  • Bonow, J.M., Japsen, P., Lidmar-Bergström, K., Chalmers, J.A. & Pedersen, A.K. 2006: Cenozoic uplift of Nuussuaq and Disko, West Greenland – elevated erosion surfaces as uplift markers of a passive margin. Geomorphology 80, 325–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.03.006
  • Chalmers, J.A. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 2001: Development of the continental margins of the Labrador Sea: a review. In: Wilson, R.C.L. et al. (eds): Non-volcanic rifting of continental margins: a comparison of evidence from land and sea. Geological Society, London: Special Publications 187, 77–105. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.2001.187.01.05
  • Chalmers, J.A., Pulvertaft, T.C.R., Marcussen, C. & Pedersen, A.K. 1999: New insight into the structure of the Nuussuaq Basin, central West Greenland. Marine and Petroleum Geology 16, 197–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0264-8172(98)00077-4
  • Chauvet, F., Geoffroy, L., Guillou, H., Maury, R.C., Le Gall, B., Agranier, A. & Viana, A. 2019: Eocene continental breakup in the Baffin Bay. Tectonophysics 757, 170–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.03.003
  • Christiansen, F.G., Boesen, A., Bojesen-Koefoed, J., Dalhoff, F., Dam, G., Neuhoff, P.S., Pedersen, A.K., Pedersen, G.K., Stannius, L.S. & Zinck-Jørgensen, K. 1998: Petroleum geological activitites onshore West Greenland in 1997. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 180, 10–17. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v180.5079
  • Christiansen, F.G. et al. 2000: Petroleum geological activitites in West Greenland in 1999. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 186, 88–96. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v186.5221
  • Clarke, D.B., 1968: Tertiary basalts of the Baffin Bay area. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Edinburgh, 122 pp.
  • Clarke, D.B. 1970: Tertiary basalts of the Baffin Bay: possible primary magma from the mantle. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 25, 203–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00371131
  • Clarke, D.B. & Pedersen, A.K. 1976: Tertiary volcanic province of West Greenland. In: Escher, A. & Watt, W.S. (eds): Geology of Greenland, 364–385. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Greenland.
  • Clarke, D.B. & Upton, B.G.J. 1971: Tertiary basalts of Baffin Island: Field relations and tectonic setting. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 8, 248–258. https://doi.org/10.1139/e71-025
  • Clarke, D.B., Muecke, G.K. & Pe-Piper, G. 1983: The lamprophyres of Ubekendt Ejland, West Greenland: products of renewed partial melting or extreme differentiation? Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 83, 117–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00373084
  • Croxton, C.A. 1978: Report of field work undertaken between 69° and 72°N, central West Greenland in 1975 with preliminary palynological results. Open-File Report, Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 78/1, 80 pp.
  • Dam, G. & Sønderholm, M. 2021: Tectonostratigraphic evolution, palaeogeography and main petroleum plays of the Nuussuaq BasIn: An outcrop analogue for the Cretaceous–Palaeogene rift basins offshore West Greenland. Marine and Petroleum Geology 129, 105047, 33 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105047
  • Dam, G., Pedersen, G.K., Sønderholm, M.S., Midtgaard, H.H., Larsen, L.M., Nøhr-Hansen, H. & Pedersen, A.K. 2009: Lithostratigraphy of the Cretaceous–Paleocene Nuussuaq Group, Nuussuaq Basin, West Greenland. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 19, 1–171. https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v19.4886
  • Dam, G., Sønderholm, M. & Sørensen, E.V. 2020. Inherited basement canyons: Impact on sediment distribution in the North Atlantic. Terra Nova 32, 272–280. https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12459
  • Drever, H.I. 1953: The origin of some ultramafic rocks: a preliminary survey of the evidence for and against gravity accumulation of olivine. Meddelelser fra Dansk Geologisk Forening 12, 227–229.
  • Drever, H.I. 1956: The geology of Ubekendt Ejland, West Greenland. II. The picritic sheets and dykes of the east coast. Meddelelser om Grønland 137(4), 1–41.
  • Drever, H.I. & Game, P.M. 1948: The geology of Ubekendt Ejland, West Greenland, part I, a preliminary review. Meddelelser om Grønland 134(8), 1–35.
  • Drever, H.I. & Johnston, R. 1957: Crystal growth of forsteritic olivine in magmas and melts. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 63, 289–315. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0080456800009509
  • Escher, J. 1985: Geological map of Greenland, 1:500 000, Sheet 4 Upernavik Isfjord. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
  • Fitton, J.G., Saunders, A.D., Norry, M.J., Hardarson, B.S. & Taylor, R.N. 1997: Thermal and chemical structure of the Iceland plume. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 153, 197–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0012-821x(97)00170-2
  • Fitton, J.G., Saunders, A.D., Larsen, L.M., Hardarson, B.S. & Norry, M.J. 1998: Volcanic rocks from the Southeast Greenland margin at 63°N: composition, petrogenesis and mantle sources. In: Saunders, A.D., Larsen, H.C. & Wise, S.H. (eds): Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 152: College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 331–350. https://doi.org/10.2973/odp.proc.sr.152.233.1998
  • Funck, T., Gohl, K., Damm, V. & Heyde, I. 2012: Tectonic evolution of southern Baffin Bay and Davis Strait: Results from a seismic refraction transect between Canada and Greenland. Journal of Geophysical Research 117(B4). https://doi.org/10.1029/2011jb009110
  • Geoffroy, L., Callot, J.-P., Scaillet, S., Skuce, A., Gélard, J.P., Ravilly, M., Angelier, J., Bonin, B., Perrot, K. & Lepvrier, C. 2001: Southeast Baffin volcanic margin and the North American-Greenland plate separation. Tectonics 20, 566–584. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001tc900003
  • Giesecke, C. 1823: XIX. On the Mineralogy of Disko Island. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 9(2), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0080456800030891
  • Giesecke, K.L. 1910: Mineralogisches Reisejournal über Grönland 1806–1813. Meddelelser om Grønland 35, 1–478.
  • Gill, R.C.O., Pedersen, A.K. & Larsen, J.G. 1992: Tertiary picrites in West Greenland: melting at the periphery of a plume? In: Storey, B.C., Alabaster, T. & Pankhurst, R.J. (eds): Magmatism and the Causes of Continental Break-up. Geological Society, London: Special Publications 68, 335–348. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.1992.068.01.21
  • Govindaraju, K. 1994. 1994 compilation of working values and sample descriptions for 383 geostandards. Geostandards Newsletter 18, Special Issue 1, 1–158. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2494.1998.53202081.x-i1
  • Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G. & Smith, A.G. (eds) 2004: A Geologic Time Scale 2004. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 610 pp. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511536045
  • Gregersen, U., Hopper, J.R. & Knutz, P.C. 2013: Basin seismic stratigraphy and aspects of prospectivity in the NE Baffin Bay, Northwest Grenland. Marine and Petroleum Geology 46, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.05.013
  • Gregersen, U., Knutz, P.C., Nøhr-Hansen, H., Sheldon, E. & Hopper, J.R. 2019: Tectonostratigraphy and evolution of the West Greenland continental margin. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 67, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.37570/bgsd-2019-67-01
  • Grocott, J. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 1990: The Early Proterozoic Rinkian belt of central West Greenland. In: Lewry, J.F. & Stauffer, M.R. (eds): The Early Proterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen of North America. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 37, 443–463.
  • Guarnieri, P., Baker, N., Rosa, D. & Sørensen, E.V. 2022a: Geological Map of Greenland 1:100 000 Nuugaatsiaq 71 V.2 Nord. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. https://doi.org/10.22008/FK2/PGSMJH
  • Guarnieri, P., Baker, N., Rosa, D. & Sørensen, E.V. 2022b: Geological Map of Greenland 1:100 000 Pannertooq 72 V.2 Syd. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. https://doi.org/10.22008/FK2/IBHIZL
  • Guarnieri, P., Rosa, D., Thrane, K., Kokfelt, T.F., Sørensen, E.V. & Baker, N. 2022c: Paleoproterozoic Cordilleran-Type Tectonics in central West Greenland. Abstract EGU22-13531, EGU General Assembly 2022.
  • Hald, N. 1976: Early Tertiary flood basalts from Hareøen and western Nûgssuaq, West Greenland. Bulletin Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 120, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.34194/bullggu.v120.6662
  • Hald, N. & Pedersen, A.K. 1975: Lithostratigraphy of the Early Tertiary volcanic rocks of central West Greenland. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 69, 17–24. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v69.7407
  • Hansen, J.M. 1977: Dinoflagellate stratigraphy and echinoid distribution in Upper Maastrichtian and Danian deposits from Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 26, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.37570/bgsd-1976-26-01
  • Hansen, J.M. 1980: Stratigraphy and structure of the Paleocene in central West Greenland (onshore) and Denmark. Unpublished lic.scient. thesis, Geological Institute, University of Copenhagen.
  • Henderson, G. 1973: The geological setting of the West Greenland Basin in the Baffin Bay region. Geological Survey of Canada Paper 71-23, 521–544. https://doi.org/10.4095/105243
  • Henderson, G & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 1987: Geological map of Greenland, 1:100 000, Mârmorilik 71 V. 2 Syd, Nûgâtsiaq 71 V. 2 Nord, Pangnertôq 72 V. 2 Syd. Descriptive text, 72 pp. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Greenland.
  • Henderson, G., Schiener, E.J., Risum, J.B., Croxton, C.A. & Andersen, B.B. 1981: The West Greenland Basin. In: Kerr, J.W. (ed): Geology of the North Atlantic Borderlands. Memoir, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists 7, 399–428.
  • Herzberg, C. & O’Hara, M.J. 1998: Phase equilibrium constraints on the origin of basalts, picrites, and komatiites. Earth-Science Reviews 44, 39–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0012-8252(98)00021-x
  • Herzberg, C. & O’Hara, M.J. 2002: Plume-associated ultramafic magmas of Phanerozoic age. Journal of Petrology 43, 1857–1883. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/43.10.1857
  • Herzberg, C., Asimow, P.D., Arndt, N., Niu, Y., Lesher, C.M., Fitton, J.G., Cheadle, M.J. & Saunders, A.D. 2007: Temperatures in ambient mantle and plumes: Constraints from basalts, picrites, and komatiites. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 8, 34 pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006gc001390
  • Holm, P.M., Hald, N. & Nielsen, T.F.D. 1992: Contrasts in composition and evolution of Tertiary CFBs in West and East Greenland and their relations to the establishment of the Icelandic mantle plume. In: Storey, B.C., Alabaster, T. & Pankhurst, R.J. (eds): Magmatism and the Causes of Continental Break-up. Geological Society London: Special Publications 68, 349–362. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.1992.068.01.22
  • Holm, P.M., Gill, R.C.O., Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, J.G., Hald, N., Nielsen, T.F.D. & Thirlwall, M.F. 1993: The Tertiary picrites of West Greenland: contributions from ‘Icelandic’ and other sources. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 115, 227–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821x(93)90224-w
  • Howat, I., Negrete, A. & Smith, B. 2014: The Greenland Ice Mapping Project (GIMP) land classification and surface elevation data sets. The Cryosphere 8, 1509–1518. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1509-2014
  • Jørgensen, K.A. 1981: Dagbog vedrørende kortlægning på Nord Svartenhuk. 45 pp + maps. Unpublished field diary, Geological Survey of Greenland, Copenhagen.
  • Jørgensen, K.A. 1982: Towards a refined stratigraphy for the basalts of Svartenhuk Halvø. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 110, 19–22. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v110.7789
  • Knudsen, C., Brooks, K. & Larsen, L.M. 2010: Timing and nature of dykes in North-West Greenland adjacent to the Melville Bay, with emphasis on possible relations to tectonomagmatic events in the offshore basins. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2010/13, 36 pp.
  • Koch, L. 1929: Stratigraphy of Greenland. Meddelelser om Grønland 73, 205–320.
  • Kystol, J. & Larsen, L.M. 1999: Analytical procedures in the Rock Geochemical Laboratory of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 184, 59–62. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v184.5230
  • Larsen, J.G. 1977: Transition from low potassium olivine tholeiites to alkali basalts on Ubekendt Ejland. Meddelelser om Grønland 200(1), 1–42.
  • Larsen, J.G. 1981a: Stratigraphy and structure of the Tertiary volcanic rocks of southern and eastern Svartenhuk Halvø south of 72°N lat. and some areas north of 72°N lat. 54 pp. Unpublished report, Geological Survey of Greenland, Copenhagen.
  • Larsen, J.G. 1981b: A preliminary study of flow directions of Tertiary hyaloclastites and pahoehoe lava flows on Svartenhuk Halvø, West Greenland. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 105, 28–32. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v105.7747
  • Larsen, J.G. 1981c: Medium pressure crystallisation of a monchiquitic magma – evidence from megacrysts of Drever’s block, Ubekendt Ejland, West Greenland. Lithos 14, 241–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-4937(81)90053-0
  • Larsen, J.G. 1982: Mantle-derived dunite and lherzolite nodules from Ubekendt Ejland, West Greenland Tertiary province. Mineralogical Magazine 46, 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1180/minmag.1982.046.340.05
  • Larsen, J.G. 1983: Geological Map of Greenland, 1:100 000, Igdlorssuit 71 V.1 Syd. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
  • Larsen, J.G. & Grocott, J. 1991: Geological Map of Greenland, 1:100 000, Svartenhuk 71 V.1 Nord. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
  • Larsen, J.G. & Larsen, L.M. 2010: Volcanic rocks in the northern part of the Nuussuaq Basin, West Greenland. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2010/11, 75 pp.
  • Larsen, J.G. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 2000: The structure of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene sedimentary-volcanic area of Svartenhuk Halvø, central West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 188, 1–40. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v188.5190
  • Larsen, L.M. 2006: Mesozoic to Palaeogene dyke swarms in West Greenland and their significance for the formation of the Labrador Sea and the Davis Strait. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2006/34, 69 pp + appendices.
  • Larsen, L.M. & Dalhoff, F. 2006: Composition, age, and geological and geotectonic significance of igneous rocks dredged from the northern Labrador Sea and the Davis Strait. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2006/43, 51 pp + appendices.
  • Larsen, L.M. & Pedersen, A.K. 2000: Processes in high-Mg, high-T magmas: Evidence from olivine, chromite and glass in Palaeogene picrites from West Greenland. Journal of Petrology 41, 1071–1098. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/41.7.1071
  • Larsen, L.M. & Pedersen, A.K. 2009: Petrology of the Paleocene picrites and flood basalts on Disko and Nuussuaq, West Greenland. Journal of Petrology 50, 1667–1711. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egp048
  • Larsen, L.M., Watt, W.S. & Watt, M. 1989: Geology and petrology of the Lower Tertiary plateau basalts of the Scoresby Sund region, East Greenland. Bulletin Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 157, 1–164. https://doi.org/10.34194/bullggu.v157.6699
  • Larsen, L.M., Pedersen, A.K., Sundvoll, B. & Frei, R. 2003: Alkali picrites formed by melting of old metasomatised lithospheric mantle: Manîtdlat Member, Paleocene of West Greenland. Journal of Petrology 44, 3–38. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/44.1.3
  • Larsen, L.M., Heaman, L.M., Creaser, R.A., Duncan, A.R., Frei, R. & Hutchison, M. 2009: Tectonomagmatic events during stretching and basin formation in the Labrador Sea and the Davis Strait: evidence from age and composition of Mesozoic to Palaeogene dyke swarms in West Greenland. Journal of the Geological Society, London 166, 999–1012. https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492009-038
  • Larsen, L.M., Pedersen, A.K., Tegner, C., Duncan, R.A., Hald, N. & Larsen, J.G. 2016: Age of Tertiary volcanic rocks on the West Greenland continental margIn: volcanic evolution and event correlation to other parts of the North Atlantic Igneous Province. Geological Magazine 153(3), 487–511. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0016756815000515
  • Le Maitre, R.W. (ed) 2002: Igneous rocks. A classification and glossary of terms. 2nd edition. Recommendations of the IUGS subcommission on the systematics of igneous rocks. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 236 pp. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535581
  • Lightfoot, P.C., Hawkesworth, C.J., Olshevsky, K., Green, A., Doherty, W. & Keays, R.R. 1997: Geochemistry of Tertiary tholeiites and picrites from Qeqertarssuaq (Disko Island) and Nuussuaq, West Greenland with implications for the mineral potential of comagmatic intrusions. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 128, 139–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004100050300
  • McDonough, W.F. & Sun, S.-S. 1995: The composition of the Earth. Chemical Geology 120, 223–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)00140-4
  • McKenzie, D. & Bickle, M.J. 1988: The volume and composition of melt generated by extension of the lithosphere. Journal of Petrology 29, 625–679. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/29.3.625
  • McKenzie, D. & O’Nions, R.K. 1991: Partial melt distributions from inversion of rare earth element concentrations. Journal of Petrology 32, 1021–1091. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/32.5.1021
  • Mott, A.V., Bird, D.K., Grove, M., Rose, N., Bernstein, S., Mackay, H. & Krebs, J. 2013: Karrat Isfjord: a newly discovered Paleoproterozoic carbonatite-sourced REE deposit, central West Greenland. Economic Geology 108 (6), 1471–1488. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.108.6.1471
  • Münther, V. 1973: Results from a geological reconnaissance around Svartenhuk Halvø, West Greenland. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 50, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v50.7318
  • Nelson, C.E., Jerram, D.A., Clayburn, J.A.P., Halton, A.M. & Roberge, J. 2015: Eocene volcanism in offshore southern Baffin Bay. Marine and Petroleum Geology 67, 678–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpet-geo.2015.06.002
  • Nieland, H. 1931: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Deckenbasalte von Westgrönland. Chemie der Erde 6, 591–612 + one plate.
  • Noe-Nygaard, A. 1942: On the geology and petrography of the West Greenland basalt province. Part III. The plateaubasalts of Svartenhuk peninsula. Meddelelser om Grønland 137(3), 78pp.
  • Oakey, G.N. & Chalmers, J.A. 2012: A new model for the Paleogene motion of Greenland relative to North America: Plate reconstructions of the Davis Strait and Nares Strait regions between Canada and Greenland. Journal of Geophysical Research 117(B10), 28 pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011jb008942
  • O’Nions, R.K. & Clarke, D.B. 1972: Comparative trace element geochemistry of Tertiary basalts from Baffin Bay. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 15, 436–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821x(72)90044-1
  • Ottley, C.J., Pearson, D.G. & Irvine, G.J. 2003: A routine method for the dissolution of geological samples for the analysis of REE and trace elements via ICP-MS. In: Holland, J.G. & Tanner, S.D. (eds): Plasma Source Mass Spectrometry: Applications and Emerging Technologies, 221–230. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/9781847551689-00221
  • Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, L.M., Pedersen, G.K. & Dueholm, K.S. 1996: Filling and plugging of a marine basin by volcanic rocks: the Tunoqqu Member of the Lower Tertiary Vaigat Formation on Nuussuaq, central West Greenland. Bulletin Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 171, 5–28. https://doi.org/10.34194/bullggu.v171.6731
  • Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, L.M., Riisager, P. & Dueholm, K.S. 2002: Rates of volcanic deposition, facies changes and movements in a dynamic basIn: the Nuussuaq Basin, West Greenland, around the C27n–C26r transition. In: Jolley, D.W. & Bell, B.R. (eds): The North Atlantic Igneous Province: stratigraphy, tectonics, volcanic and magmatic processes. Geological Society, London: Special Publication 197, 157–181. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.2002.197.01.07
  • Pedersen, A.K., Pedersen, G.K., Larsen, L.M., Pulvertaft. T.C.R., Sønderholm, M., & Dueholm, K.S. 2007a: Geological map of the Nuussuaq Basin in southern Nuussuaq, 1:100 000, special map Paatuut, with detailed sections. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
  • Pedersen, A.K., Pedersen, G.K., Larsen, L.M., Pulvertaft. T.C.R., Sønderholm, M., & Dueholm, K.S. 2007b: Geological map of the south-east coast of Nuussuaq between Ataata Kuua and Saqqaqdalen, central West Greenland, 1:50 000, with detailed sections. Copenhagen: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
  • Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, L.M. & Pedersen, G.K. 2017: Lithostratigraphy, geology and geochemistry of the volcanic rocks of the Vaigat Formation on Disko and Nuussuaq, Paleocene of West Greenland. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 39, 1–244. https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v39.4354
  • Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, L.M. & Pedersen, G.K. 2018: Lithostratigraphy, geology and geochemistry of the volcanic rocks of the Maligât Formation and associated intrusions on Disko and Nuussuaq, Paleocene of West Greenland. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 40, 1–239. https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v40.4326
  • Polteau, S. & Planke, S. (eds) 2008: BBS08 – Baffin Bay Sampling Project 2008 Report, 100 pp. Volcanic Basin Petroleum Research and TGSNOPEC Geophysical Company, Report no. 28000 in the GEUS archives.
  • Powell, A.J. 1992: Dinoflagellate cysts of the Tertiary System. In: A.J. Powell (ed.): A stratigraphic index of dinoflagellate cysts, 155–252. London: Chapman & Hall. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2386-0_4
  • Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 1966: Unpublished field diary, Geological Survey of Greenland, Copenhagen.
  • Pulvertaft, T.C.R. & Clarke, D.B. 1966: New mapping on Svartenhuk peninsula. Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 11, 15–17. https://doi.org/10.34194/rapggu.v11.7139
  • Pulvertaft, T.C.R. & Larsen, J.G. 2002: Note on the sub-basalt surface in the hinterland of the Nuussuaq Basin, central West Greenland. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2002/39, 15 pp + 1 plate.
  • Rasmussen, T.M. 2002: Aeromagnetic survey in central West Greenland: Project Aeromag 2001. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 191, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v191.5130
  • Riisager, J., Riisager, P. & Perrin, M. 1999: Palaeodirectional and palaeointensity results of Paleocene and Eocene basalts from West Greenland. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 46, 69–78. https://doi.org/10.37570/bgsd-1999-46-07
  • Riisager, J., Riisager, P. & Pedersen, A.K. 2003: Paleomagnetism of large igneous provinces: case-study from West Greenland, North Atlantic igneous province. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 214, 409–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0012-821x(03)00367-4
  • Riisager, J., Riisager, P., Zhao, X., Coe, R.S. & Pedersen, A.K. 2004: Paleointensity during a chron C26r excursion recorded in west Greenland lava flows. Journal of Geophysical Research 109(B4), 12 pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JB002887
  • Riisager, P. & Abrahamsen, N. 1999: Magnetostratigraphy of Paleocene basalts from the Vaigat Formation of West Greenland. Geophysical Journal International 137, 774–782. https://academic.oup.com/gji/article/137/3/774/614900
  • Rink, H. 1852: Om den geographiske Beskaffenhed af de danske Handelsdistrikter i Nordgrönland tilligemed en Udsigt over Nordgrönlands Geognosi. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter, 5te række, vol 3, 62 pp.
  • Rosenkrantz, A. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 1969: Cretaceous–Tertiary stratigraphy and tectonics in northern West Greenland. Memoir, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 12, 883–898. https://doi.org/10.1306/m12367c61
  • Rosenkrantz, A., Noe-Nygaard, A., Gry, H., Munck, S. & Laursen, D. 1942: A geological reconnaissance of the southern part of the Svartenhuk peninsula, West Greenland. Meddelelser om Grønland 135(3), 1–72.
  • Saunders, A.D., Fitton, J.G., Kerr, A.C., Norry, M.J., and Kent, R.W. 1997: The North Atlantic Igneous Province. In: Mahoney, J.J. & Coffin, M.L. (eds): Large Igneous Provinces. Geophysical Monograph 100, 45–93. American Geophysical Union (Washington, D.C.). https://doi.org/10.1029/gm100p0045
  • Schmidt, A.G., Riisager, P., Abrahamsen, N., Riisager, J., Pedersen, A.K. & van der Voo, R. 2005: Palaeomagnetism of the Eocene Talerua Member lavas on Hareøen, West Greenland. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 52, 27–38. https://doi.org/10.37570/bgsd-2005-52-04
  • Self, S., Thordarson, T. & Keszthelyi, L. 1997: Emplacement of continental basalt lava flows. In: Mahoney, J.J. & Coffin, M.C. (eds): Large Igneous Provinces. Geophysical Monograph 100, 381–410. American Geophysical Union (Washington, D.C.). https://doi.org/10.1029/gm100p0381
  • Sheth, H. 2018: A photographic atlas of flood basalt volcanism. 363 pp. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67705-7
  • Skaarup, N. 2002: Evidence for continental crust in the offshore Palaeogene volcanic province, central West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 191, 97–102. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v191.5135
  • Skaarup, N. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R. 2007: Aspects of the structure on the coast of the West Greenland volcanic province revealed in seismic data. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 55, 65–80. https://doi.org/10.37570/bgsd-2007-55-05
  • Speijer, R.P., Pälike, H., Hollis, C.J., Hooker, J.J. & Ogg, J.G. 2020: The Paleogene Period. Chapter 28 In: Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M.D. & Ogg, G.M. (eds): Geologic time scale 2020, 1087–1140. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824360-2.00028-0
  • Steenstrup, K.J.V. 1883: Bidrag til Kjendskab til de geognostiske og geographiske Forhold i en Del af Nord-Grønland. Meddelelser om Grønland 4(5), 173–242.
  • Storey, M., Duncan, R.A., Pedersen, A.K., Larsen, L.M. & Larsen, H.C. 1998: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the West Greenland Tertiary volcanic province. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 160, 569–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0012-821x(98)00112-5
  • Thrane, K. 2021: The oldest part of the Rae craton identified in western Greenland. Precambrian Research 357, 106139, 14 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106139
  • Thrane, K., Baker, J., Connelly, J. & Nutman, A. 2005: Age, petrogenesis and metamorphism of the syn-collisional Prøven Igneous Complex, West Greenland. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 149, 541–555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-005-0660-0
  • Turner, S.P., Platt, J.P., George, R.M.M., Kelly, S.P., Pearson, D.G. & Nowell, G.M. 1999: Magmatism associated with orogenic collapse of the Beltic–Alboran domain, SE Spain. Journal of Petrology 40, 1011–1036. https://doi.org/10.1093/petroj/40.6.1011
  • Vandenberghe, N., Hilgen, F.J. & Speijer, R.P. 2012: The Paleogene period. In: Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M. & Ogg, G. (eds): The Geologic Time Scale 2012, 855–921. Amsterdam: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-59425-9.00028-7
  • Walker, G.P.L. 1971: Compound and simple lava flows and flood basalts. Bulletin Volcanologique 35, 579–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02596829
  • White, J.D.L. & Houghton, B.F. 2006: Primary volcaniclastic rocks. Geology 34, 677–680. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22346.1
  • Whittaker, R.C. 1996: A preliminary seismic interpretation of an area with extensive Tertiary basalts offshore central West Greenland. Bulletin Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 172, 28–31. https://doi.org/10.34194/bullggu.v172.6739

Latest publications

GEUS Bulletin
More information about the publishing system, Platform and Workflow by OJS/PKP.
About the journal
Contact
Current Issue
Announcements
Cookies
Privacy Statement
Accessibility

GEUS Bulletin
eISSN: 2597-2154 ISSN: 2597-2162
Editor in chief: Catherine Jex

Published by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Denmark since 2003. All content is published under an Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0). Read other titles published by GEUS at GEUS Journals. 

Read our WAS accessibility statement (in Danish).

LinkedIn YouTube