The Janusfjellet Subgroup (Bathonian to Hauterivian) on central Spitsbergen: a revised lithostratigraphy

Abstract

The Janusfjellet Subgroup is a marine shelf to prodeltaic succession dominated by shales with subordinate siltstones and sandstones. The subgroup comprises a lower Agardhf jellet (Upper Bathonian - Berriasian) and an upper Rurikf jellet (Berriasian - Hauterivian) formation. Based on field work in central Spitsbergen the following subdivisions of the formations are proposed (units listed in ascending order). The Agardhf jellet Formation (up to 290 m thick) contains four members: Oppdalen - a fining upwards succession from conglomerates to shales; Lardyfjellet - black paper shales; Oppdalsata - grey shales with siltstones and sandstones; and Slottsmøya - grey shales and black paper shales. Within the Oppdalen Member three beds are recognised: Brentskardhaugen - phosphoritic conglomerate; Marhøgda - glauconitic sandstones', and Drønbreen - siltstones and shales. The Rurikfjellet Formation (thickness up to 226 m) is composed of two members: Wimanfjellet - grey and partly silty shale sequence, containing the Myklegardfjellet Bed (of plastic clays) at its base; and Ullaberget - silty and sandy shales with siltstones and sandstones.