Geology

The region where the catchments are located is called the Central Basin and is a sequence of sedimentary formations which were deposited in the early Tertiary (65 - 2.6 Ma). During the period of depostion there was lush vegetation and today exceptionally well-preserved fossils can be found in this area (see Figure 2).

Geological Formations

The geological formations which are present in the catchments are listed below. They belong to the Van Mijenfjorden Group which is Paleocene to Eocene in age (65.5 - 34 Ma). Willem Van Muyden was a 17th century Dutch mariner.

Aspelintoppen Formation: sandstone, siltstone and shale, with thin coal seams. Only exposed above 700 m.
Battfjellet Formation: sandstone, subordinate siltstone and shale
Frysjaodden Formation : dark shale and siltstone, subordinate sandstone. This is the formation which is most exposed in the catchments
Grumantbyen and Hollendardalen Formation : sandstone including some shale from Frysjaodden formation