THE SWEDISH EXPEDITION TO SPITZBERGEN, 1882

Abstract

THE results of the researches of the expedition despatched to Spitzbergen last summer by the Swedish Academy of Sciences, under the eminent savants Baron G. de Geer and Dr. Nathorst, for the study of the geological and geographical features of the island, are very interesting. In the first instance, these gentlemen have drawn two maps, showing the exact geographical features of the island, as compared with those prepared by two previous expeditions. Of these, one shows the outlines of the fjords and valleys in the southern part of the island, with the boundary of the inland ice, and the other the relative depth of the seas around Spitzbergen and Scandinavia. From the latter it appears, that these two land-formations are really elevated ridges on a comparatively level plateau, which sinks abruptly in the ocean west of Spitzbergen. In the second instance, the expedition has ascertained that the deep fjords and narrow valleys of the island have not been formed by upheaval of the terrestrial crust or by strong water-courses, but are due to the action of glaciers during the Glacial period, while from the marks on the rocks of the Beeren Island, it may be assumed that the Spitzbergen glaciers extended even so far.