Vitrinite reflectance studies of coals and dispersed organic matter in Tertiary deposits in the Adventdalen area, Svalbard

Abstract

Vitrinite reflectance measurements on coals and dispersed organic matter in Tertiary deposits in the Adventdalen area show that there is a continuous rank increase from 'sub-bituminous C (Ro = 0.40) at the top through 950 m to‘high volatile bituminous B’(Ro = 0.70) at the base. Rank of the economically important coal horizon at the base of the Tertiary shows regional variation ranging from 'sub-bituminous B’(Ro = 0.41) to Tiigh volatile bituminous A-B’(Ro = 0.78). It is concluded that 1.0 - 1.5 km of Tertiary deposits were eroded during the postorogene uplift of Svalbard, and the area of greatest sediment accumulation migrated eastwards during deposition.