Open AccessConstraining the chronology of Pleistocene glaciations on Svalbard: Kapp Ekholm re‐visited
Author(s) -
Eccleshall Sarah V.,
Hormes Anne,
Hovland Alexander,
Preusser Frank
Publication year - 2016
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.12191
Subject(s) - stadial , geology , pleistocene , glacial period , interglacial , chronology , marine isotope stage , thermoluminescence dating , paleontology , eemian
The Kapp Ekholm site, in central Spitsbergen, shows alternating units of glaciomarine sandy silt and diamicton representing three glacial cycles and is key in reconstructing the Late Pleistocene glacial history of Svalbard. Part of the site is reinvestigated here by focusing on re‐dating two units (B and F) interpreted as interglacial/interstadial glaciomarine deposits, in order to constrain the controversial chronology. A combination of Optical Stimulated Luminescence ( OSL ) on quartz, infrared stimulated luminescence with a 50 °C readout temperature ( IRSL 50 ) and post infrared‐infrared stimulated luminescence ( pIR ), both on feldspar, was applied. While Formation B was beyond the dateable range of OSL , IRSL 50 and pIR ages lead to the conclusion that this unit represents the Last Interglacial, Marine Isotope Stage ( MIS ) 5e, and the underlying diamicton the MIS 6 glacial. Formation F yielded ages implying that the formation represents the MIS 5a interstadial and the underlying diamicton is interpreted to represent the MIS 5b stadial. This agrees with conclusions drawn concerning the Pleistocene glaciations elsewhere on Svalbard.