Mapping and dating Late Holocene advances of Nansenbreen on Erdmannflya, Svalbard
2021 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 40 credits / 60 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Arctic temperatures are rising twice as fast as global temperatures. Consequently, understanding theeffect of this change on glacial dynamics and sea-level variations is of critical importance. The high-Arcticarchipelago of Svalbard is a unique site to study ice marginal landforms and their paleo-environmentalimplications and to link Holocene climate and glacial variations. This study maps and age dates themoraine complex of Nansenbreen, a glacier terminating in the fjord of Isfjorden, in Borebukta north ofErdmannflya lowland. This reconstruction aims to determine the processes of formation of the morainecomplex and its implications for sea-level, glacial activity and Late Holocene climate reconstruction andmodelling. A sedimentological and landform map is therefore produced, using aerial images and fieldobservations. The map is coupled with radiocarbon dating of moraine deposits.
Thereby, two moraines are differentiated. The most ice-distal moraine is interpreted as marking themaximum extent of Nansenbreen. Both moraines present features suggesting that they were glaciotectonisedthrough englacial-thrusting during surge events. Radiocarbon dates allow to establish a maximumconstraining age of 750 +/- 50 years BP for the maximum extent of Nansenbreen. This age correspondsto the Medieval Warm Period, an epoch marked by warm climate conditions. Hence, it is thoughtthat Nansenbreen underwent a surge triggered by influxes of warm Atlantic ocean currents into Isfjorden.Finally, the mapping shows that the moraines formed after a regression undergone by the wholeErdmannflya lowland. Erdmannflya therefore represents a suitable study site for sea-level studies.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2021. , p. 84
Keywords [en]
Glacial geology, sedimentology, geomorphology, sea-level, radiocarbon dating
National Category
Natural Sciences Earth and Related Environmental Sciences Geology Physical Geography
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-201077OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-201077DiVA, id: diva2:1633099
External cooperation
University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
Supervisors
Examiners
Projects
Svalbard Holocene Elucidation of Raised Beach Emergence and Timing (SHERBET)2022-03-092022-01-282022-03-09Bibliographically approved