Vikinghøgda Formation
| Vikinghøgda Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Induan-Olenekian (Griesbachian-Spathian) ~ | |
| Type | Formation |
| Unit of | Sassendalen Group |
| Sub-units | Deltadalen Member, Lusitaniadalen Member, Vendomdalen Member |
| Underlies | Botneheia Formation |
| Overlies | Kapp Starostin Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Mudstone, siltstone |
| Other | Shale, sandstone |
| Location | |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 42°12′N 10°24′E / 42.2°N 10.4°E |
| Region | Svalbard |
| Country | Norway |
The Vikinghøgda Formation is a geologic formation in Svalbard, Norway. It preserves fossils dating back to the Early Triassic (Griesbachian-Spathian) period. It is split into three members, from oldest to youngest: the Deltadalen Member (Induan), Lusitaniadalen Member (Smithian), and Vendomdalen Member (Spathian). The formation can be found in central Spitsbergen (Sassendalen, Dickson Land, James I Land), southern Spitsbergen, as well as the smaller islands of Barentsøya and Edgeøya. The type locality is positioned in the vicinity of Vikinghøgda and Sticky Keep, two low peaks along the southeast edge of Sassendalen (Sassen Valley) in Spitsbergen. The two upper members of the Vikinghøgda Formation were previously grouped together as the Sticky Keep Formation.