Open Access10 B e exposure age constraints on the L ate W eichselian ice‐sheet geometry and dynamics in inter‐ice‐stream areas, western S valbard
Author(s) -
Landvik Jon Y.,
Brook Edward J.,
Gualtieri Lyn,
Linge Henriette,
Raisbeck Grant,
Salvigsen Otto,
Yiou Françoise
Publication year - 2013
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/j.1502-3885.2012.00282.x
Subject(s) - deglaciation , geology , ice stream , ice sheet , ice shelf , glacier , streams , glacier morphology , geomorphology , oceanography , physical geography , glacial period , sea ice , cryosphere , geography , computer network , computer science
The Late W eichselian ice sheet of western S valbard was characterized by ice streams and inter‐ice‐stream areas. To reconstruct its geometry and dynamics we investigated the glacial geology of two areas on the island of Prins Karls Forland and the Mitrahalvøya peninsula. Cosmogenic 10 B e surface exposure dating of glacial erratics and bedrock was used to constrain past ice thickness, providing minimum estimates in both areas. Contrary to previous studies, we found that P rins K arls F orland experienced a westward ice flux from S pitsbergen. Ice thickness reached >470 m a.s.l., and warm‐based conditions occurred periodically. Local deglaciation took place between 16 and 13 ka. At M itrahalvøya, glacier ice draining the K rossfjorden basin reached >300 m a.s.l., and local deglaciation occurred at c . 13 ka. We propose the following succession of events for the last deglaciation. After the maximum glacier extent, ice streams in the cross‐shelf troughs and fjords retreated, tributary ice streams formed in F orlandsundet and K rossfjorden, and, finally, local ice caps were isolated over both P rins K arls F orland and M itrahalvøya and their adjacent shelves.