Stratigraphy of the post-Caledonian sediments in the Germania Land area, North-East Greenland

Abstract

Sediment outliers in North-East Greenland are briefly described and dated on the basis of macro- and microscopic plant fossils. Conglomerates and sandstones at Depotnæsset are probably of Late Carboniferous age based on the content of poorly preserved spores and pollen together with Stigmaria molds. Conglomerates, sandstones and coals from localities west of Germania Land are of Early to Middle Jurassic age based on poorly preserved fossil leaves and sporomorphs. The sedimentary facies and the fossil content of the Upper Carboniferous sediments suggest that the transition between the continental Carboniferous basins of East Greenland and the marine basins of North Greenland was situated north of 78°N. The maturity of the sporomorphs suggests that the Upper Carboniferous basins subsided by 1.5–2 km in Late Carboniferous to Middle Jurassic time, whereas subsidence of the Jurassic basins was negligible.