The Storfjorden sedimentary system (South-western Svalbard margin) was investigated during the EGLACOM cruise on summer 2008 on board R/V OGS-Explora. EGLACOM project (Evolution of a GLacial Arctic COntinental Margin: the southern Svalbard ice stream-dominated sedimentary system) is the Italian contribution to the International Polar Year (IPY) Activity 367 (Neogene ice streams and sedimentary processes on high- latitude continental margins–NICE STREAMS) in combination with the IPY-Spanish SVAIS project.

Four EGLACOM sediment cores were collected from the slope and shelf areas and were scanned for X-radiographs and multi-sensor core logger for physical properties. Sediment samples were analyzed for textural and compositional characteristics including the biogenic components. Detailed palaeostratigraphic investigations together with palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic analyses and AMS dating define the constraints for high-resolution inter-core correlation and dating. Beside, palaeostratigraphic studies gave information on palaeoenvironmental characteristics and ocean circulation.

On the upper slope the base of the sedimentary sequence is formed by laminated mud interbedded with silt layers (laminated facies). The sequence is overtopped by coarser-grained sediments containing abundant pebbles roughly organized into layers (IRD-rich facies).

On the lower slope IRD-rich sediments are overlain by crudely laminated mud and strongly bioturbated bioclast-rich sediments at the top of core.

The sedimentary sequence from the shelf of the Kveithola trough contains mainly IRD-rich sediments overtopped by 10 cm of massive sands including IRD.

The clay mineral assemblage includes illite (over 50%), chlorite and kaolinite (usually<20%), and variable amounts of smectite having higher percentages in the sediments from the lower slope. The highest values of illite were recovered within the IRD-rich facies whereas within the laminated facies lower values never exceed 50% of the assemblage. Within the laminated facies, peaks of kaolinite can be related to the silt layers whereas the laminated mud contains a higher percentage of chlorite.