Master Project Example - Last glaciation and post-glacial depositional environments and processes in the NE North Sea: An integrated study based on seismic data, bathymetry and shallow sediment cores

(the project may be carried out in Norwegian) The Norwegian Channel Ice Stream (NCIS, NE North Sea) and the Bjørnøyrenna Ice Stream (Barents Sea), are the two largest ice streams that have existed in the Eurasian Ice Sheets during the repeated glaciations in NW Europe during the Quaternary time period. Ice streams represent zones of fast flowing ice in an icesheet. They can flow as fast as 100s to 1000s of metres in a year and they can transport huge sediment volumes. Thus, ice streams have shaped the continental shelves at high latitudes, with the formation of deep troughs and the development of large trough mouth fans on the upper continental slopes. The impact of ice streams on the landscape over time can be analysed from glacial landforms that were formed when ice streams were active.

Project example

In this project, TOPAS seismic profiles, bathymetric data and results from analyzed sediment cores collected in the Norwegian Channel, that have been formed due to glacial erosion by the NCIS, and neighboring areas will be compiled and interpreted. Glacial landforms, such as grounding zone wedges, moraine ridges and megascale glacial lineations, will be mapped, described and dated. In addition, the glacimarine/marine sediment package that was deposited after the last ice sheet/ice stream retreat in the region is to be mapped and a seismostratigraphy is to be established. Furthermore, thickness maps, which will give information about sediment source areas, are to be generated. Based on the analyzed data, the depositional history of the entire Norwegian Channel system over the last ca 20 000 years is to be compiled and discussed.

The "Petrel" software will be used to interpret the TOPAS data. In addition, "ArcGIS" is to be used for mapping of glacial landforms and for plotting of data/maps/results.

This project will contribute to: (1) New knowledge about the depositional environment in the NE North Sea over the last ca 20 000 years, (2) New knowledge about how the NCIS retreated and how the NCIS were related to the breakup of the Eurasian Ice Sheets, (3) New knowledge about the character of the (paleo)seafloor, the shallow geology and geohazards in an area which are/will be important for seabed installations, (4) Better understanding of the dynamics of ice sheets/ice streams.

Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS)
Some suggested courses are listed below – but will be decided upon after discussion between supervisor and student and the interest/background of the student. GEOV272, GEOV300 and GEOV231 are, however, needed.

GEOV272 (10 stp) * Seismic Interpretation
GEOV300 (5 stp) * Scientific writing and communication in Earth Science
GEOV222 (10 stp) Palaeoclimatology
GEOV217 (10 stp) Geohazards
GEOV230 (10 stp) Glacial geology and geomorphology
GEOV324 (5 stp) Polar Palaeoclimate
GEOV231 (10 stp)* Marine Geological Field-and Laboratory Course

Data
Only internal data is to be used for this project: TOPAS sub-bottom-profiles, bathymetry and shallow sediment cores are all available for the project. In addition, some 2D and 3D data may be used. Such data is available through the DISKOS database.

Field-, lab- and analysis work
Interpretation of TOPAS data in Petrel. The TOPAS data is to be correlated with information from sediment cores and bathymetric records. It may be some work in the sediment laboratory (EarthLab)

Supervisors

Berit O. Hjelstuen (main supervisor)

Benjamin Bellwald, NGI

Last updated: 12.12.2025