GEUS-NOTAT. Indledning. Side 1 af 7

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1 Side 1 af 7 Til: John Telling Fra: Jon R. Ineson & Leif Thorning Kopi til: GEUSJ, FGC Fortroligt: Nej Dato: 27. januar 2009 GEUS-NOTAT nr.: 14-MI J.nr. GEUS: Emne: Vurdering af DANCEA-rapportens lokaliteter med henblik på eventuel beskyttelse og adgangsregulering Evaluation of Geosite sensitivity, North and North-East Greenland Indledning Medio december 2008 rettede Råstofdirektoratet ved John Telling henvendelse til GEUS ved Leif Thorning for at undersøge, om GEUS kunne være behjælpelig med et genbesøg til de lokaliteter, som var omtalt i DANCEA rapporten. Der blev ønsket en vurdering af mulige bevaringsværdige geologiske lokaliteter i Nationalparken i Nordøstgrønland med henblik på en eventuel gradueret beskyttelse af disse lokaliteter. Jon R. Ineson var en af hovedforfatterne bag DANCEA rapporten, og har nu set på alle lokaliteterne igen, vurderet det oprindelige oplæg, og talt med andre interessenter i GEUS og IGG om disse lokaliteters særpræg og grundene til at beskytte dem. Herudfra peges på et antal lokaliteter, som kan indgå i Nationalparkgruppens videre overvejelser. Denne vurdering fremsendes hermed til Råstofdirektoratets videre anvendelse. Der gøres opmærksom på, at GEUS alene har forholdt sig til de givne lokaliteter i DANCEA - rapporten, og at andre måske vil kunne pege på yderligere eller andre lokaliteter, som efter deres mening bør nyde samme beskyttelse. Yderligere undersøgelser kan således eventuelt åbne for udpegning af nye bevaringsværdige geologiske lokaliteter.

2 Side 2 af 7 Evaluation of Geosite sensitivity, North and Northeast Greenland Thirty-nine (39) geological sites of special scientific interest were selected and described from North and Northeast Greenland by Mikkelsen et al. (2005). As indicated in that report, this list was prepared in the knowledge that formal definition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as for example undertaken in Europe, necessitates a comprehensive, highly structured study based on formal, legally-binding regulations. As indicated in Mikkelsen et al. (2005), therefore, the 39 sites described from North and Northeast Greenland were to be considered as representative and preliminary, though it was anticipated that most, if not all, of the named sites would be included in a formal list. Thus, Mikkelsen et al. (2005) stated that ranking of the described sites, with a view to defining levels of protection, was premature at that time and should await a formal SSSI procedure and definition. Although the situation is essentially unchanged, political factors are considered to necessitate the identification of particularly vulnerable sites from the Geosite list of Mikkelsen et al. (2005). The 39 sites have thus been re-evaluated in order to identify sites that are both particularly sensitive to degradation and are of special significance to the scientific community. The majority of sites described in Mikkelsen et al. (2005) are spectacular large-scale outcrops, often at the scale of mountains, in which geological structures or features are illustrated to a degree rarely seen outside rugged desert terrains. Examples would be the reef limestones of Kap Tyson (G01), the Navarana Fjord scarp (G04) and the Neoproterozoic sediments of East Greenland (G27). Such localities, though of international scientific interest, are extensive and robust and cannot be considered sensitive such localities were rated sensitivity Low in Mikkelsen et al. (2005). These sites are thus not in need of specific restrictions. Spectacular fjord-wall exposures of the Neoproterozoic Eleonore Bay Supergroup, North-East Greenland; such largescale localities are robust and are not considered vulnerable.

3 Side 3 af 7 A minority of sites described by Mikkelsen et al. (2005), however, involve localised exposures of sedimentary rocks that either yield scientifically important fossils (e.g G06, Sirius Passet) and/or represent stratigraphic horizons that are under particular focus in understanding earth history (e.g. G32, Permian Triassic boundary section). These sites total eleven (11) in total. Based on international scientific reputation and an evaluation of sensitivity to degradation / over-collection (size, consolidation of the outcrop), these eleven sites are subdivided into two categories: Category 1 sites are rated of particular scientific importance and highly sensitive to over-collection or site-degradation. Summary descriptions of these six (6) sites are given below (for full descriptions, photographs etc, see Mikkelsen et al. 2005) together with a proposed sensitivity zone around the site. G06, Sirius Passet lagerstätte G23, Late Devonian tetrapods G26, Valanginian fossils G32, Permian Triassic boundary G34, Late Triassic dinosaur trackways G35, Late Triassic vertebrates Category 2 sites are evaluated as sensitive but of lower priority and consideration of sensitivity zones is not judged appropriate at this time. These five (5) sites are listed below (for details, see Mikkelsen et al. 2005): G07, Middle Cambrian faunas (west Peary Land) G09, Upper Pliocene interglacial record (Kap København, Peary Land) G10, Neoproterozoic diamictites, stromatolites (south Peary Land) G17, Pliocene sediments (Île de France) G20, Permian Triassic boundary, fossil vertebrates (Hold with Hope)

4 Side 4 af 7 Category 1 geosites Geological site of special scientific interest: G06 Designation: G06, Sirius Passet lagerstätte Location: Western Sirius Passet, NW Peary Land ' N, ' W. Justification: This fossil locality yields a spectacular and increasingly well-known soft-bodied Early Cambrian fauna of particular significance for the understanding of early evolution and the Cambrian explosion. Site sensitivity: High. Exposure at this extremely important site is limited to a restricted section less than 10 m thick, with lateral exposure of m. Collection to date has been primarily from the scree slopes emanating from this section and experience suggests that the soft-bodied fossils are enhanced by weathering on the scree slope (i.e. fresh samples from the exposure are of limited value). The site is rated extremely sensitive to excessive collecting. Sensitivity zone: The fossiliferous strata and productive scree are known primarily from a restricted area (c. 100 m x 100 m), but fossils have also been located farther north (200 m north) and the potential exists for additional fossil sites over several kilometres to the NE. It is proposed that the sensitivity zone should extend for a radius of 10 km around the known locality, thus enclosing the known and potential fossiliferous strata and the important access area (unprepared landing strip east of J.P. Koch Fjord). Restricted exposure of steeply-dipping black shales that yield the exceptional Sirius Passet fauna

5 Side 5 af 7 Geological site of special scientific interest: G23 Designation: G23, Late Devonian tetrapods Location: Celsius Bjerg, eastern Ymer Ø, North-East Greenland ' N, ' W. Justification: The first discovered of a number of fossil localities within the Upper Devonian yielding the world-renowned early tetrapod fauna. Site sensitivity: Low. Although individual sites may be sensitive to excessive collecting, the range of sites/exposures down-grades the overall sensitivity. The importance of the fauna, however, demands that the outcrop of the Celsius Bjerg Group on Celsius Bjerg is included within a sensitivity zone. Sensitivity zone: This should include the outcrop area of the Celsius Bjerg Group on easternmost Ymer Ø, most practically defined by the land area of Ymer Ø east of longitude 23 30' W. Geological site of special scientific interest: G26 Designation: G26, Valanginian fossils Location: Southern Mols Bjerge, Traill Ø, North-East Greenland ' N, ' W. Justification: A prolific, classic Cretaceous fossil locality yielding faunas of mixed Boreal/Tethyan origin and recording an important Early Cretaceous palaeoceanographic event. Site sensitivity: High. The restricted outcrop is poorly exposed and the site is sensitive to excessive sampling. Sensitivity zone: The zone defined by the outcrop of the fossilferous Palnatokes Bjerg Formation on southern Mols Bjerge occurs within the area defined by the following co-ordinates: Latitude 72 27' 72 30', longitude 22 20' 22 40' W.

6 Side 6 af 7 Geological site of special scientific interest: G32 Designation: G32, Permian Triassic boundary Location: Fiskegrav locality, western Jameson Land, central East Greenland ' N, ' W. Justification: An important stratigraphically complete Permian Triassic boundary section, of relevance to global definition of the boundary. Site sensitivity: High. This is an important reference section for the Permian Triassic boundary and lateral extent of the exposure in these shallow gullies is limited so that excessive sampling would be detrimental. Furthermore, in the event of infrastructure development in the area, these shallow low-lying gullies would be prone to degradation due to infill or alteration of drainage patterns. Sensitivity zone: A sensitivity zone is proposed to the east of Schuchert river, centred on the Fiskegrav locality and with a radius of 2 km around this locality. Shallow gullies exposing the renowned Permian Triassic boundary section in western Jameson Land; the restricted nature of these exposures makes them particularly vulnerable to excessive collection or site degradation/infill.

7 Side 7 af 7 Geological site of special scientific interest: G34 Designation: G34, Late Triassic dinosaur trackways Location: Wood Bjerg, Jameson Land, central East Greenland ' N, ' W. Justification: The best-exposed example of dinosaur trackways in Greenland. Site sensitivity: High. Collecting of segments of these bedding-plane exposures would seriously downgrade the scientific value of the suite of trackways. Sensitivity zone: It is proposed that a zone is defined immediately south of Passagen in north-east Jameson Land to include both the dinosaur trackways on the eastern shoulder of Wood Bjerg (Site G34) and southern Macknight Bjerg where an important vertebrate fossil locality (Site G35) is located. This composite sensitivity zone is bounded to the north by the east west valley of Passagen (approx. line of latitude 71 28' N), the coastline to the east, latitude 71 21' N to the south, and longitude 22 42' W to the west (following the north south minor valley just west of Wood Bjerg). Geological site of special scientific interest: G35 Designation: G35, Late Triassic vertebrates Location: Macknight Bjerg, Jameson Land, East Greenland ' N, ' W. Justification: The most productive of a series of important fossil localities within the Upper Triassic yielding faunas of palaeogeographical and evolutionary importance. Site sensitivity: High. Although collecting for scientific purposes ( ) significantly reduced the extent of this outcrop, the site remains sensitive to excessive collecting. Sensitivity zone: It is proposed that a zone is defined immediately south of Passagen in north-east Jameson Land to include both the dinosaur trackways on the eastern shoulder of Wood Bjerg (Site G34) and southern Macknight Bjerg where an important vertebrate fossil locality (Site G35) is located. This composite sensitivity zone is bounded to the north by the east west valley of Passagen (approx. line of latitude 71 28' N), the coastline to the east, latitude 71 21' N to the south, and longitude 22 42' W to the west (following the north south minor valley just west of Wood Bjerg).