The Moraines of Vikten

Among the geological phenomena in Vikten, we find the rocks and boulders near the Glassblower’s Cabin, the local moraines, and a number of other items that may be observed when following the two interesting paths known as the Morenestien and the Tangrandstien.

The estimated age of the bedrock in the Vikten area is approx. 2 billion years. The mountains and landscape have later been shaped by the ice ages, the last of which occurred approx. 20,000 years ago. One can clearly see how the ice has carried sediment of rock and gravel from the mountains down towards the sea, where moraines and cirques have been formed. The plateau, 20-30 metres above the settlement, consists of typical morainic deposit. The lower moraine is a lateral moraine formed by the erosive action of the waves. On top of this, there is a lateral moraine deposited by a local glacier, which encircles the glacial cirque that now constitutes Vasskrokvatn lake.



The rocks near the Glassblower’s Cabin have been named the Giant (Jetten), the King (Kongen), Creation (Tilblivelsen), the Jewel (Smykket) and the Mammuth’s Ear (Mammutøret).

The Giant (Jetten): A rock originating from the shore zone. It was first shaped in a glacial waterfall, and then further “refined” by waves and sand.
The King (Kongen): Also originates from ther shore zone near Vikten. It was dedicated to the King and Queen on their visit to Vikten during their 60th birthday celebrations in 1997.
Creation (Tilblivelsen): The compound minerals in this rock have clearly undergone a chemical reaction with seawater and sand.
The Jewel (Smykket): Bedrock gneiss, worked and ground by waves and shingle.
The Mammuth’s Ear (Mammutøret): This stone is the one in the collection that has been most forcefully treated by the elements in the shore zone.

The Morenestien
Post 1: Shows stratified delta sediment over moraine deposits.
Post 2: View overlooking Mjåneset.
Post 3: Large erratic boulders.
Post 4: The moraine has been formed by a mighty glacier that lay in the Laurdalen valley stretching towards the mountainside in the south.
Post 5: Large slabs of stone created by congelifraction in the mountainside and carried off by the glacier.
Post 6: Bedrock gneiss with a marked structure.
Post 7: The rock glacier consists of water and rock that have been frozen together and subsequently slid down the mountainside.

Tangrandstien
The path follows the beach at Elvøyra (mostly limestone fragments), continues past the houses and along the shore below the cultivated areas.
Post 1: The beach at Elvøyra.
Post 2: Shoreline embankment and exfoliation (c. 5000 years).
Post 3: Lanscape sculpted by the sea.
Post 4: Coromorant Rock (Storskarvsteinen) – erratic boulder.
Post 5: Lanscape sculpted by the sea.
Post 6: Skrea – a large rock glacier.
Post 7: Slab of rock on the rock glacier to the north (The old lady of Finnkonebakk)

See illustrations and English summary in the booklet "Morenene på Vikten" on sale at the Glassblower's cabin.

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