Open AccessChronology and extent of the Lofoten–Vesterålen sector of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet from 26 to 16 cal. ka BP
Author(s) -
Vorren Tore O.,
Rydningen Tom Arne,
Baeten Nicole J.,
Laberg Jan Sverre
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/bor.12118
Subject(s) - deglaciation , geology , glacial period , ice sheet , ice shelf , chronology , last glacial maximum , oceanography , sea level , physical geography , geomorphology , paleontology , sea ice , cryosphere , geography
The interplay between the onshore and offshore areas during the Last Glacial Maximum and the deglaciation of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet is poorly known. In this paper we present new results on the glacial morphology, stratigraphy and chronology of Andøya, and the glacial morphology of the nearby continental shelf off Lofoten–Vesterålen. The results were used to develop a new model for the timing and extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet in the study area during the local last glacial maximum ( LLGM ) (26 to 16 cal. ka BP ). We subdivided the LLGM in this area into five glacial events: before 24, c. 23 to 22.2, 22.2 to c. 18.6, 18 to 17.5, and 16.9–16.3 cal. ka BP . The extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during these various events was reconstructed for the shelf areas off Lofoten, Vesterålen and Troms. Icecaps survived in coastal areas of Vesterålen–Lofoten after the shelf was deglaciated and off Andøya ice flowed landwards from the shelf. During the LLGM the relative sea level was stable until 18.5 cal. ka BP , and thereafter there was a sea‐level drop on Andøya. Thus, relative sea level (i.e. a sea level rise) does not seem to be a driving mechanism for ice‐margin retreat in this area but the fall in sea level may have had some importance for the grounding episodes on the banks during deglaciation. The positions of the grounding zone wedges ( GZW s) in the troughs are related to the morphology as they are often located where the troughs narrow.