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EA-I. (N. V. Pinegin)

GEOLOGY OF NOVAYA ZEMLYA

        Geologically and structurally, Novaya Zemlya is extremely complex.

Investigations by Russian and Norwegian geologists show that the early

Paleozoic era was inaugurated by broad, shallow epeiric seas which extended

over the region where Novaya Zemlya now lies. This is proved by the fact

that Cambrian fossil remains, consisting of brachiopods and trilobites,

are found in the strata deposited in those seas. The earliest known up–

lift of Novaya Zemlya, according to O. Holtedahl, took place in the middle

Silurian period, since marine deposits of this age have not been found there.

The area was reinundated by the sea in the late Silurian period, and remained

under water until the middle of the Devonian period when volcanic activity

and orogenic movements began to develop. There are some indications that

the newly uplifted part of the land formed a portion of a large Devonian

(Old Red) continent. The location of the present Arkhangelskaia Bay was on

its margin, but at that time, a large lagoon or inland sea lay on the site

of this inlet. That there were volcanoes nearby is attested by recurrent

beds of ash and sub-marine lava flows in the lagoonal deposits. Among the

fossil remains found on Novaya Zemlya, there is considerable material which

shows that late Devonian deposits were laid down in a basin of stagnant water.

In the ensuing epochs (the lower and middle as well as the early part of the

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EA-I. Pinegin: Geology of Novaya Zemlya

upper Carboniferous period), the ancient continent on the site of Novaya

Zemlya was covered by a warm, shallow, but open sea, for thick strata of

limestone have been left. Subsequently a slight elevation occurred, and

the land was exposed; but somewhat later, in the pre-Artinsk period, the

continent once more was submerged — and this time for a long time.

        The time of the final uplift of Novaya Zemlya has not yet been estab–

lished with complete precision. It is known only that in the Permian period

Novaya Zemlya was still under water, but no fossils of marine animals belong–

ing to this time have been found up to the present. Probably an orogeny took

place simultaneously with the formation of the huge mountain folds which

separated Europe from Asia. The complicated folds of the Novaya Zemlya moun–

tains are relies of this major orogenic period. During these diastrophic

movements, masses of volcanic rock were extruded through fissures which had

formed and were poured out over the older sedimentary rocks, altering them

by their pressure and heat.

        Geological observations tend to show that Novaya Zemlya was probably

elevated above sea level during the entire Mesozoic period, since fossili–

ferrous marine sediments are lacking except for some late Jurassic and

Cretaceous forms derived from erratics from an unknown source. It is still

possible, of course, that this island was partially submerged, but this

question has not been settled with full clarity.

        The surface features of Novaya Zemlya, with its characteristic long,

narrow, transverse trenches or intermontane valleys, were developed by stream

erosion during the Tertiary period. During the Pleistocene epoch these valleys

were overdeepened by ice and the rough mountain features partly smoothed down.

The cumulative effect of all these processes resulted in the present orographic

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EA-I. Pinegin: Geology of Novaya Zemlya

configuration of Novaya Zemlya.

        It is the opinion of the Norwegian geologist Grönlie that glacial ice

completely covered Novaya Zemlya, including the tops of the highest mountains

during the Pleistocene epoch. Under the weight of this icecap, Novaya Zemlya

was depressed and former shore lines stood at least 350 meters higher than at

present. When the ice cover began to melt away, the land began to rise in

response to isostatic readjustments, but the recovery of levels did not pro–

ceed altogether uniformly and stillstands are indicated by the numerous

shore terraces which are clearly seen on the coastal heights. This uplift

has been in progress throughout all of the post-Pleistocene and Recent epochs,

and down to the present time. However, there are indications that such move–

ments have now slackened somewhat. This seems to be substantiated by the

status of the modern shore line, which is more maturely developed than those

at higher elevation. But it must be noted that historical records show that

the strand lines of the island have been rising considerably within the past

few centuries.

       

N. V. Pinegin, Novaya Zemlya, Arkhangelsk ,

1935, p.59 ff. Translated by

Ordway Southard