Triassic transgressive-regressive cycles in the Sverdrup Basin, Svalbard and the Barents Shelf

Abstract

Nine transgressive-regressive (T-R) cycles have recently been recognized in the Triassic succession of the Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada. Inter-regional correlation of the transgressive episodes to the European Arctic depends on the accuracy of biostratigraphic dating. Ammonoids appear to be the best tool for such correlation. Unfortunately, the Triassic succession of Svalbard and the Barents Shelf does not supply the same biostratigraphic resolution as the Sverdrup Basin, mainly beacuse of several hiatuses. At Svalbard many of the transgressions recognized in the Sverdrup Basin appear to be present, but uncertainties exist for the Upper Triassic. The regional nature of the T-R cycles suggests that the main variable for the origin of the cycles is either eustatic sea-level change (Vail model) or change in horizontal lithospheric stresses due to episodic plate re-organization (Cloetingh model). -from Authors