Rit (Vísindafélag Íslendinga) - 01.07.1962, Side 16

16
is seen in the surface. Quite clearly the remnant of Young
rocks was left in the downthrown block after extensive erosion.
On the south edge of the mountain we find again a similar
section of the Young rocks. The lava or lavas are here 20 m
thick; at the base there is normal structure while in the
middle is globular basalt. In the underlying sediment I found
clearly glacially striated stones, but glacial working of the
floor is questionahle. This basalt floor was much broken up
(by frost) as is very often the case for these old glacial ve-
stiges, and in the conglomerate was a large boulder which
had been separated into many pieces in situ, i.e. before be-
ing covered by the lavas, very likely by frost action. At the
top of the sediment is at many places a thin brown layer,
probably largely eolian.
As so often, the ground was broken up by frost while or
after the conglomerate was formed and within the conglo-
merate are clear signs of frost splitting. Therefore the possi-
bility is acceptable that the conglomerate is in the main flu-
viatile material reworked by frost (cryoturbation). Only the
sparse striated blocks, although perhaps scratched in this pro-
cess, suggest the possibility of a local glacier.
As stated, the surface of the mountain is very smooth and
no sign is seen that a main glacier overflowed it, although
glacial erosion is very clear around the mountain and such
glaciers have undoubtedly formed its steep slopes, especially
the west and south slopes. But a small local glacier has once
formed on the southernmost part of the mountain and flow-
ed S 25 °E to join a lower main glacier.
It is clear that only through the sunk position of this small
patch has a last remnant of the safely recognizable Young
rocks been sheltered here from the erosion prior to or dur-
ing the Older 300 m stage.
Looking west from Skessuskálarfjall I was not able to see
any indication of further remnants of the Young rocks. Their
scattered distribution in the area between Bárðardalur and
Fnjóskadalur is clear evidence of a large-scale erosion and