Chapter 59 Neoproterozoic glaciation of South Norway: from continental interior to rift and pericratonic basins in western Baltica

Abstract

AbstractNeoproterozoic glacial deposits of South Norway comprise the Moelv and Koppang formations. The former occurs on Baltican crystalline basement in autochthonous position at the Caledonian erosional nappe front, on basement windows and basement thrust sheets in the Caledonian nappe region, and in thick sedimentary successions in the allochthonous Hedmark and Valdres rift basins. The Koppang Formation (Fm.) occurs on top of platform carbonates in the allochthonous pericratonic Engerdalen Basin. The glacial deposits are dominated by diamictite interpreted as basal till from warm-based grounded ice, whereas stratified successions of diamictite beds, sandstone and laminated siltstone with outsized stones represent local ice-margin deposits and/or subglacially infilled water bodies, and the final glaciomarine stage. Palinspastic reconstruction of Caledonian nappe complexes carrying the glacial formations indicates that the glacial deposits were deposited over a wide area by a large western Baltoscandian ice sheet, probably during the Gaskiers (c.580 Ma) glacial event (or events), but the age of the glaciation in South Norway needs to be better constrained.