Glacial Striae in Southern Hinlopen-Stretet and Kong Karls Land, Svalbard

ABSTRACT

The glacial striae observed in the southeastern coastal area of Hinlopenstretet, Svalbard, display two main directions: from about the north-east and from about the south-east respectively. The former were most probably formed by glaciers only slightly larger than at present, the latter are interpreted as indicators of ice-flow during waning stages of a Würm glaciation. In the author's opinion, analogous conclusions should also be drawn from the glacial striae reported in previous investigations from low levels in the area Hinlopenstretet—Barentsöya. None of these striae necessarily presupposes a vast ice-sheet, centered to the east-southeast of Svalbard.

On western Kongsöya, Kong Karls Land, most of the rock outcrops (basalt) were examined, but glacial sculpture or striation is almost completely lacking. The only glacial striae found were at high levels above cirques, probably formed by former local glaciers. No proofs of a former extensive glaciation were seen (glacial sculpture or moraines), but eventual remnants may of course have disappeared by weathering and solifluction.

The strongest evidence in favour of an extensive Würm glaciation is the occurrence of raised beaches. Available age determinations indicate a shoreline displacement on Kongsöya of about 36 m during the last 7000 years (Knape 1971).