Geomorphic relationships characteristic of the region between the Billefjorden and Austfjorden display a high degree of complexity. The relationships result from palaeogeographical changes which took place during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. A topographic expression is the product of glacial, marine and lacustrine processes. In view of the gathered observational information and the 14C date of 8.120+60 ɣr BP (Gd-1900) provided in 1987 on marine shells found in glacial deposits between Hoglandvatnet and Alandvatnet, inferences can be made as to a large extent of marine processes in the study area during the maior part of the tarlier Holocene.

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.