The main relief features of glacier marginal zones in the region between the Billefjorden and Austfjorden comprise ice-cored moraines, outwash plains and glacial lakes. Characteristics of various types of ice-morainic ridges are given. This article presents examples of outwash fan relief. The results of palaeogeographical analysis serve as the basis for distinguishing between three principal stages of development of glacier morphology and meltwater outflow in the region between the Billefjorden and Austfjorden.

Extensive floors of well-developed ancient trough-like valleys around Petuniabukta were subject to glacial, marine and alterations caused by gravity movements during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Palaeogeographical changes took place and are still occurring under the influence of land uplifting movements. The earliest recognizable phase of glaciation occured during the so called Billefjorden Stage about 35.000 to 45.000 years ago. The available evidence suggests that the glaciation was divided into two stages, first the major advance and then, a minor ice advance. This glacial episode was followed by morphological alterations conditioned largely by the action of sea and gravitational factors. About 6.500 years BP a short-term, though rather extensive glacier advance took place and afterwards, the processes of marine morphogenesis recurred. The last notable glaciation phase traced from the land surface can be identified with the Little Ice Age. The Holocene changes in morphology are reflected in extensive outwash plains and a tidal plain.