Recent progress in the acquisition of regional geophysical datasets allow scientists to interpret high-resolution, tens–thousands of kilometres wide, continuous data in map view and/or cross-section (e.g., seismic, magnetic, gravimetric data).
This is a considerable advantage to interpret regional tectonic structures, especially compared to fieldwork, which involves interpreting discontinuous, up to tens of kilometres wide and a few kilometres high, partly to deeply eroded outcrops at the Earth’s surface. Yet another difficulty related to fieldwork is the seldom-discussed uncertainty associated with one’s interpretation and regional correlation of large structures. Despite the data-continuity and uncertainty advantages of geophysical datasets in the interpretation of large-scale tectonics, fieldwork still yields valuable results when used as a confirmation tool, i.e., in conjunction with other datasets.
This thesis work aims at characterizing structures in Proterozoic basement rocks along a major tectonic boundary in Kongsfjorden. Field localities will include (but are not limited to) Blomstrandhalvøya where calcite-filled veins and breccia are previously reported.
Thesis work may include some of the following activities:
- Collecting structural data in the field in September 2022 (fault strike and dip, fault lineation, foliation, kinematic indicators, bedding surfaces, fold axes)
- Interpretation of basement structures and fabrics on bathymetric data in Kongsfjorden
- Microstructural and petrological analysis of fault rocks in thin section
- Geochronological analysis of calcite-bearing fault rocks. The activities are selected before the start of the thesis work
Through this graduate work, the student will gain critical skills in structural interpretation of field data, fault rock analysis in thin section, organizing and performing fieldwork in remote Arctic areas, scientific writing, assessing and discussing scientific uncertainty, proposal writing, ethics in science, and techniques for efficient communication of scientific outcomes to non-specialists.
Additional supervisors may be from other universities, research institutes, and/or industries in Norway and/or abroad (to be discussed before thesis start).
Please send an email to Jean-Baptiste Koehl (jean-baptiste.koehl@uit.no) to discuss availability and potential activities.
