ABSTRACT The Scandinavian Caledonides formed during the continental collision between Baltica and Laurentia. During the collision, a complex nappe stack was thrust over the Baltican continental margin. The orogen can be subdivided into segments based on architectural differences within the Scandian nappes. The southern and central segments of the orogen link up in the Gudbrandsdalen area in south-central Norway. Alpine-type metaperidotite-bearing metasedimentary complexes occur in the southern and central segments and can be traced continuously along the strike of the orogen from one into the other segment. Traditionally, these units have been assigned to different tectono-stratigraphic levels, one below the Middle Allochthon and one above the Middle Allochthon. Here, we trace the Alpine-type metaperidotite-bearing units from Bergen to Esandsjøen and show that these units exhibit a common geologic and metamorphic history, consistent with the metaperidotite-bearing units representing a single tectonic unit. We suggest that the metaperidotite-bearing units can be used as a “marker level” to revise the tectono-stratigraphy of the Gudbrandsdalen and adjacent areas. The tectono-stratigraphic revisions imply that the Scandian nappe stack consists of seven tectono-stratigraphic levels that can be traced throughout the southern and central segments of the Scandinavian Caledonides. Moreover, the revision of the tectono-stratigraphy and new U-Pb geochronology data also suggest a revision of the timing of the succession of tectonic events leading up to the Scandian continental collision. The available evidence indicates that Baltica-derived tectonic units collided with the Iapetan/Laurentian subduction complexes as early as ca. 450 Ma. The initial collision was followed by in-sequence nappe formation of Baltican-derived units, which occurred contemporaneously with the opening of a marginal basin in the upper plate. After the arrival of thick, buoyant, unthinned Baltican crust at the trench, the main zone of convergence stepped outboard, the marginal basins closed, and those basins were thrust out-of-sequence over the previously assembled nappe stack.

Abstract The discovery of Ice Ages is one of the most revolutionary advances ever made in the Earth sciences. In Norway this discovery was made by Danish–Norwegian geoscientist Jens Esmark and his young student Niels Otto Tank, who on a mountain traverse in early September 1823 observed a number of geomorphological features produced by an extant glacier, and compared these to similar features they had previously noted where glaciers today are absent. Seeing a recent moraine pushed up by an extant glacier they suddenly realized that a big ridge of gravel they had earlier seen at sea-level in Southern Norway had to be an ancient moraine, deposited by a big glacier at a time when the climate was substantially colder than today. The brevity of Esmark's account made the precise location of the site of enlightenment remain a mystery for almost two hundred years until it was rediscovered by the author in 2008. This paper describes the crucial site and its lessons.

Abstract The relation between Scandinavian landforms and Cenozoic uplift events is examined by analysis of digital elevation data in a regional geological context as well as in a geomorphological process perspective. Re-exposed flat sub-Cambrian and sub-Mesozoic hilly relief aids in deciphering uplift and erosional events. The highly dissected mountains of the Northern Scandes (NS) rise maximally 1500 m above a slightly tilted lowest level continuing in the Muddus plains eastwards at 300-550m above sea level (a.s.l.). This level is correlated with the lowest, slightly warped level of the Palaeic relief at 1000 -1300 m a. s.l. of the Southern Scandes (SS), over which mountains of similar height rise. This lowest surface is thought to be the end result of Paleogene erosion to the general base level. Northern Scandinavia with the NS and the Muddus plains acted as a block that was progressively tilted to the SE, whereas the Southern Scandes experienced continuous doming, with a major uplift event of about 1000 m in Neogene time causing deep valley incision in the uplifted plateau. The South Swedish Dome emerged from its Palaeozoic and Mesozoic cover in Neogene time and still retains well-preserved re-exposed palaeosurfaces.

Abstract Europe relies mainly on imports of critical raw materials (CRMs) for its industry, not least the vital ones for emerging green energy technologies. Among the main metal and mineral producers in Europe today, the Nordic countries (specifically, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland) share a diverse geology with various deposit types formed over a long geological time span. This has led to large near-future potential with regard to CRM production. Based on current knowledge and datasets, we assess the Nordic geological potential for CRMs that are specifically relevant for green technologies, namely cobalt, graphite, hafnium, lithium, niobium, platinum-group metals, rare earth elements (REEs), silicon, tantalum, titanium and vanadium, describing the most important deposits, their setting and characteristics. Several Nordic CRM resources stand out in a European and even global context, such as the giant REE(–Nb–Ta–Hf) deposits in Greenland, while the REE–Nb–(Hf) deposits at Fen (Norway) and Norra Kärr (Sweden) are very significant for Europe; Finland is the only major cobalt producer, while Norway has very significant graphite and titanium resources and production. Furthermore, Sweden, Finland and Greenland have very large vanadium resources. In addition, we conclude that the Nordic research and exploration potential for most CRMs is large.

Abstract Source-to-sink system analysis involves a complete, earth systems model approach from the ultimate onshore drainage point to the toe of related active deepwater sedimentary systems. Several methods and techniques have evolved in recent years, from experimental and numerical modelling through analysis of modern and recent systems, to analysis of ancient systems. A novel method has been developed, bridging between the previous approaches and dividing and analysing source-to-sink systems based on linked geomorphic segments along the source-to-sink profile. This approach builds on uniformitarian principles. The method is driven by the need to understand ancient, subsurface systems and still has high uncertainty but is an original, first-order approach to source-to-sink system analysis. In modern systems, entire onshore-to-offshore systems can be analysed with a higher degree of confidence than in ancient systems and semi-quantitative relationships can be established. Application in ancient systems is much more challenging but, in some cases, antecedent morphologies have been preserved onshore that can be matched with offshore known occurrences of, for instance, sandy submarine fan systems. Along the Norwegian North Sea and Norwegian Sea margins the Paleocene deep-marine reservoir of the giant Ormen Lange gas field is such an example. There, antecedent onshore drainage patterns which formed the feeder system to the offshore, deepwater fan system can be interpreted and aligned with onshore palaeogeomorphological evidence. Understanding the palaeogeomorphic development of basement regions such as the Fennoscandian shield is of high importance for understanding the offshore presence of deepwater sandstones.