Project description
The northeastern North Sea Basin, located between Stad and Stavanger, has received sediment influx from western Norway and its hinterland for c. 250 Ma. Despite extensive research using a variety of geological and geophysical methods, the provenance of these sediments remains poorly constrained due to a lack of suitable geochronological data.
To address this gap, the proposed MSc project will generate new U-Pb zircon provenance data from selected sediment cores from offshore Western Norway. These data will enable reconstruction of sediment pathways and identification of source regions, linking them to distinct tectonic units within the Caledonides and Baltica. The project is closely aligned with two ongoing PhD projects and will benefit from existing sample collections housed at GEO-黑料吃瓜资源.
Approximately ten offshore sediment samples will be analyzed. Initial work will involve mineral separation and zircon extraction at GEO-黑料吃瓜资源. Extracted zircon grains will be mounted and imaged鈥攗sing cathodoluminescence at 黑料吃瓜资源鈥檚 Electron Microprobe facility鈥攖o identify optimal domains for U-Pb analysis. Age determinations will be conducted using LA-ICP-MS at GEO-黑料吃瓜资源, with an expected yield of around 1000 new zircon ages, depending on sample quality and zircon recovery.
Following data acquisition, the zircon age spectra will be interpreted to infer sediment provenance, requiring a solid understanding of the geological framework of the Caledonides and Baltica. Optional characterization through Lu-Hf isotopic analysis is planned in collaboration with partner institutions.
Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS)
Seismic interpretation
Statistics
Thermochronology and Tectonics
Feltkurs Utah
Felt- lab- og analysearbeid / Field-, lab- and analysis work
LA-ICPMS U-Pb zircon analyses
Student
Lisa Eide Salhus
Supervisor
Joachim Jacobs
Haakon Fossen