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Journal of the Geological Society; 2010; v. 167; issue.1; p. 83-98;
DOI: 10.1144/0016-76492009-019
© 2010 Geological Society of London

Research Article

Fault-controlled alpine topography in Norway

P.T. Osmundsen1,2, T.F. Redfield1, B.H.W. Hendriks1, S. Bergh3, J.-a. Hansen3, I.H.C. Henderson1, J. Dehls1,4, T.R. Lauknes5, Y. Larsen5, E. Anda1 & B. Davidsen1

1 Geological Survey of Norway, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway
2 University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
3 Department of Geology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
4 Present address: Geological Survey of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
5 Norut as, Forskningsparken, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway

*Corresponding author (e-mail: per.terje.osmundsen{at}ngu.no)

Alpine topography in Norway is largely fault-controlled. Linear and asymmetric ranges developed in the footwalls of normal faults that were reactivated after the main phase of Mesozoic rifting, but prior to the Late Cenozoic glaciations. Stark geomorphological contrasts developed across the faults, reflecting differential glacial exploitation of the pre-glacial drainage pattern. Alpine topography developed preferentially in the footwalls. Triangular facets mark the traces of the most recently active faults. At the base of deeply incised, alpine range-front escarpments, the best-exposed faults display metres-thick fault-rock successions and record multiple phases of fault movement. Juxtaposition of Precambrian and Caledonian basement rocks with Jurassic or Cretaceous sedimentary rocks provides evidence for fault activity in or after the Mesozoic for some of the faults. Late Cretaceous or younger reactivation is indicated by jumps in apatite fission-track apparent ages across the faults, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar and earthquake data attest to normal faulting at the present day. Two of the areas described host anomalous clusters of rockslides that may relate to tectonic activity. The most distinct landscape-forming faults in western Scandinavia were probably active in the Cenozoic, and imposed asymmetric landscape patterns from the scale of single mountain ranges to the whole of Scandinavia.