The world's northernmost thermal springs: Bockfjorden, Svalbard. Geological setting and hydrogeochemistry

摘要

Trollkjeldene, Jotunkjeldene and Gygrekjelda are groups of low temperature (<25.6°C) thermal springs, with major travertine mound and terrace development, on the prominent Breibogen-Bockfjorden fault in a recently volcanically active area of northern Svalbard. The likely Quaternary history of the springs supports current models of recharge beneath temperate zones of glaciers being enhanced during glacial periods. The chemistry of the springs can be explained by (ⅰ) chloride salinity being derived from a seawater source and (ⅱ) major ions being modified by water-rock interaction at depth in a (possibly gneissic) reservoir, while (ⅲ) trace elements indicate modification of water chemistry during its ascent through marble strata.