Preliminary report on the basalts of Volquart Boons Kyst, East Greenland

Abstract

The area between Helgenæs and Kap Brewster, a total of approximately 2000 km² (north of 700 N) was mapped systematically by two parties, and selected reconnaissance traverses were made in adjacent areas south of 70° in order to obtain a clearer picture of the regional structure. The northem part of the area consists of almost vertical, north-facing cliffs rising to over 1000 m stretching for 120 km interrupted by hanging glaciers. In the east these cliffs drop to about 300 m at Kap Brewster and to low cliffs and beaches on the south-east coast of Savoia Halvø. The zone of hanging glaciers presented a particular problem since they hide the exposure at a fairly constant level from about 1000 to 1200 m (plateau level) making traversing and correlation possibilities at this height very limited. Inland the area is covered by the ice cap from which nunataks rise to 2000 m.