Reconnaissance for noble metals in Precambrian and Palaeogene rocks, Amdrup Fjord, southern East Greenland

Abstract

A zone of hydrothermal veins in the Kangerlussuaq region, southern East Greenland, is the focus of a one year project by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). The project aims to localise, map, sample and analyse silver-gold-bearing veins in a selected area of Precambrian and Palaeogene rocks north of Amdrup Fjord (Figs 1, 2). This report describes the field work and presents some preliminary results. The study area comprises a c. 3 km wide and 10 km long ridge between Amdrup Fjord and Søndre Syenitgletscher, centred on the 938 m high mountain Flammefjeld (Figs 2, 3). The area is of alpine character with small glaciers and with extensive snow cover most of the year. The field programme was chosen to coincide with the time of minimum snow cover, from 25 July – 23 August. During this period, the major part of the area was investigated on daily foot traverses from four fly camps, helped by helicopter lifts on two occasions. Logistically, the work was part of a larger expedition to East Greenland – EG 2000 – organised by the Danish Lithosphere Centre and GEUS, which is reported on elsewhere (Nielsen et al. 2001, this volume). A temporary field base in Sødalen, some 50 km east of Amdrup Fjord, supported the expedition’s Ecureuil AS 350 helicopter and provided services for the field teams of the various activities attached to EG 2000. Air connections with Iceland were maintained by Twin Otter aircraft operating from a gravel landing strip in Sødalen (Fig. 1).