Module Information

• Introduction to the geology and oceanography of the world's oceans, including the distribution of the main sediment types, their respective sources and depositional environments
• Dating techniques applied to Arctic Ocean sediments and age models for paleo-oceanographic reconstructions
• Global plate tectonics and the formation of the Arctic Ocean
• Changes in the oceanic circulation patterns
• Proxies used in deciphering paleoceanographic, sedimentological and climatic variations
• Modern oceanic sediments, sediment sources and sedimentation rates
• The role of sea ice and permafrost in the Arctic climate history
• The history of Arctic exploration and the current status of mapping of the Arctic Ocean
• The geography and physiography of the Arctic Ocean

The role of glaciations in the formation of geological structures, sedimentary stratigraphy and morphology of Svalbard as well as other high latitude continental margins will form a core part of the course. Typical glacial marine sedimentary environments, ranging from small basins in front of outlet glaciers, through fjords to continental shelves and slopes as well as deep-water abyssal plains will be discussed. Case studies from the Svalbard margin as well as other presently and formerly glaciated margins will be presented to illustrate the characteristic sediment types and stratigraphic sequences associated with each sedimentary environment. Modern marine geological field and laboratory methods and instrumentation used for collecting and analyzing geophysical and sedimentological data will be used to demonstrate some of the tools used in reconstructing the past oceanographic, sedimentary and environmental conditions.

The course will include up to 9 days of marine geological/geophysical fieldwork on a research vessel in the waters around Svalbard. During the research cruise, students will collect geophysical, oceanographic and sedimentological data. These data will be further analyzed in the laboratory after the cruise, and the results will be used in the students' written fieldwork reports. This module offers a unique opportunity to study high-latitude marine geological processes and environments.