Research Note 

Two observations of pumice levels from the west coast 
of Spitsbergen 
O'ITO SALVIGSEN 

Salvigsen, 0. 1984: Two observations of pumice levels from the west coast of Spitsbergen. Polar Research 
2 n.s., 115-116. 

Otto Saloigsen, Norsk Polarinstitun, Rolfstangoeien 12, I330 Oslo Lufthaon, Norway. 

During the summer of 1983 pumice was observed 
on raised beaches in two localities on the west 
coast of Spitsbergen. This is an area where pumice 

has not been reported (Salvigsen 1984), and a 
preliminary note should therefore be of interest. 

A .  - Pumice pieces were observed in three 

Fig. 1. Midterhuken between Van Mjenfjorden and Van Keulenfjorden where pumice is abundant in two major zones on the 
raised beach ridges in Van Keulenhamna (B). Photo: Norsk Polarinstitutt S 36 3178. 



116 Otto Salvigsen 

places between Russekeila and Kapp Linn6 in the 
outermost part of Isfjorden. Only 5-10 pieces 
were observed in each place, and their elevations, 
between 8.9 and 9.9 m, were determined by pre- 
cise leveling. 

B. - During a 14 hours stay in Van Keulen- 
hamna, between Van Keulenfjorden and Van 
Mijenfjorden, a traverse was examined covering 
a 20 to 30m wide swath from the shore t o  the 
highest point of Strandvollsletta (meaning beach 
ridge plain) (Fig. 1). Three levels of pumice were 
found. A quick leveling with a hand-held instru- 
ment and counting of pumice pieces gave the 
following result: 

1. 5 pieces at approximately 4.5 m above sea 
level. 

2. 33 pieces between 6.7 and 7.7m above sea 
level. 

3. 96 pieces between 10.2 and 11.5 m above sea 
level. 

Many of the pieces in the highest level were large, 

ice level in outer Isfjorden can be correlated with 
the main pumice level in Svalbard with an age of 
about 6500 years B.P. 

The new observations indicate that large 
amounts of pumice must have drifted ashore also 
on the western coast of Svalbard during the Hol- 
ocene. Where conditions have been favourable 
for preservation of pumice, pumice levels can be 
found and be useful for correlation of raised 
shorelines. Pumice is generally found in two 
major zones in inner Isfjorden (Salvigsen 1984), 
and the observations from Van Keulenhamna 
indicate that the same pattern exists on the west 
coast of Spitsbergen. 

Reference 
Salvigsen, 0. 1984: Occurrence of pumice on raised beaches 

and Holocene shoreline displacement in the inner Isfjorden 
about 15 cm in diameter. This level and the pum- area, Svalbard. Polar Resedrch 2 n.s., 107-113.