A minor carbonatite occurrence in southern West Greenland: the Tupertalik intrusion

Abstract

In addition to the two large carbonatite complexes of Cambrian age occurring in southern West Greenland, the Sarfartôq and Qaqarssuk complexes (Secher & Larsen, 1980; Gothenborg & Pedersen, 1975) a third small intrusion of carbonatite was found in 1971 during regional prospecting by Kryolitselskabet Øresund A/S. This intrusion is situated approximately 50 km east of the town Sukkertoppen, only 11 km north-north-west of the Qaqarssuk complex of which it may be regarded as a satellite (fig. 13). The outcrop measures only 500 m by 200 m. It is situated on a gently south-east sloping, relatively vegegation covered hillside in a depression between 800 m and 1000 m high mountains, the most prominent of which is Tupertalik ('the place with a tent') after which the intrusion is named.