Geologiske hovedkartserier
The Geological Mapping Programme focuses upon important gaps in regional geological knowledge of Svalbard and stimulates other research projects by pointing out relevant scientific problems. Since 1994, work has been concentrated in the Precambrian and Devonian terrains of northern Spitsbergen, which also is reflected by the topics of the individual geological research projects of the Institute.
Background
Geological mapping in the strict sense is the registration of various types of rocks and unconsolidated deposits and their geographical distribution, with an interpretation of the rocks and deposits stratigraphy and the earths crustal pattern responsible for this distribution. Results are organised on geological maps (e.g. bedrock maps, tectonic maps, Quaternary geological maps, geomorphological maps, etc.) and associated descriptive texts. Maps and map descriptions provide basic data on the geological contents and structure of an area and its history of development. These basic data are used for further research, teaching, commercial investigations of resources, as well as resource and nature management. Geological mapping in a broader sense is a full registration of geological features of an area, including investigations of the processes that have formed the present geological record.
Objectives
The Programme focuses on the continuous mapping of Svalbard, aimed at the production and publication of geological maps (digital and printed), with area descriptions. It also aims at producing overview works, which summarise geological knowledge under various aspects. Such overview works are scientific summaries and reviews, standardising work of lexicon-type, and popularistic publications. All geographically defined information is collected in GIS databases. These include seamless, digital map databases at various scales, which are produced and maintained in cooperation with NPIs Section for Environmental Data Management.
Bedrock maps of Svalbard
- Regional geological maps at 1:100,000 (locally 1:200,000 or 1:50,000): Bedrock maps cover all of Svalbard, while Quaternary and geomorphological maps are produced for selected areas
- Overview bedrock map at 1:750,000 of Svalbard, with key areas at 1:250,000
- Various topical maps at 1:3 mill
Participants
Project contact: Winfried Dallmann
Participants: Synnøve Elvevold, Dierk Blomeier
Cooperation
NPI has a very small staff of geologists, which makes it necessary to maintain an extensive network of cooperation partners and other scientific contacts. This aims both at using other scientists expertise and at receiving data from other institutions and companies. The various sorts of cooperation are categorised in the following list:
- Continuous cooperation and exchange of data with other countries mapping or research institutions
- Invitation of guest scientists to NPI
- Participation of other scientists on NPIs field expeditions
- Supervision of theses in cooperation with universities
- Acquisition of data from university projects in exchange for logistic support
- Acquisition of data from companies by involving their scientists in co-authorship
- Cooperation with laboratories on joint publication of analytical results
- International committee work