Quaternary stratigraphy, sedimentary processes and depositional environments on the Mid-Norwegian margin, based on interpretation of 2D/3D seismic data and Sr-datings

Project description

Along the entire Norwegian continental margin, an up to 1.5 km thick Quaternary sedimentary package has been deposited. This sedimentary package represents a marine archive that reflects sedimentary processes, such as submarine landslides, and depositional environments that were active during the repeated glaciations and interglaciations in NW Europe during the last 2.5 million years. Although many studies have been done on the Quaternary sedimentary package the last years, one of the major challenges has been that the age of the sediment package has been poorly established. For this master thesis, a new set of Sr-datings, from two deep wells on the Mid-Norwegian margin, will be used to establish a better chronostratigraphy, which will provide a better understanding of: (1) When and how the continental margin/shelf developed, (2) When and why submarine slides have occurred along the Norwegian margin, (3) The extent of the Fennoscandian ice sheet throughout the Quaternary, (4) Variations in the Quaternary depositional environment, and (5) How the loading of the Quaternary sediment package has affected possible deep reservoirs.

In this project, the “Petrel” software will be used to interpret 2D/3D seismic data and to correlate this data with the Sr-datings and information from deep wells, in order to: (i) establish a new seismostratigraphy and new sequence boundaries for the Mid-Norwegian margin, (ii) generate thickness maps, to study sediment source areas, (iii) analyze seismic patterns/facies, to study sedimentary processes, and (iv) improve our knowledge of the age of sedimentary processes and Quaternary depositional environments.

Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS)

Below is some suggested courses. However, courses will be decided upon after discussion between supervisor and student and the interest/background of the student. GEOV272, GEOV300 and GEOV364 are, however, needed.

GEOV272 (10 stp) * Seismic Interpretation

GEOV300 (5 stp) * Scientific writing and communication in Earth Science

GEOV222 (10 stp) Palaeoclimatology

GEOV231 (10 stp) Marine Geological Field-and Laboratory Course

GEOV364 (5 stp)* Advanced basin analysisGEVO261 (10 stp) Basin analysis and subsurface interpretation

GEOV217 (10 stp) Geohazards

GEOV230 (10 stp) Glacial geology and geomorphology

GEOV361 (10 stp) Sequence Stratigraphy and Source-to-Sink

GEOV324 (5 stp) Polar Palaeoclimate

Data

All seismic data and well information are available through the DISKOS data base

Field-, lab- and analysis work

Interpretation of seismic data in the “Petrel” software. Sr-datings from two wells are already available for the project. In addition “ArcGIS” will be used to present results/data/maps.