Glaucophane Schists of Caledonian age from Spitsbergen

Abstract

SummaryGlaucophane schists from Oscar II Land in western Spitsbergen are described for the first time. Although lawsonite, aragonite and pumpellyite have not been found, the mineral assemblages correspond generally with glaucophane schist assemblages known from elsewhere. The results of three XRF chemical analyses are presented, and five K/Ar radiometric determinations. The radiometric dating and field evidence both suggest that the glaucophane schists are a result not of the Tertiary orogeny which affected this part of Spitsbergen, but of the earlier Caledonian orogeny.