ePrints

Ice-stream initiation, duration and thinning on James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Bethan DaviesORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Predicting the future response of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to climate change requires an understanding of the ice streams that dominate its dynamics. Here we use cosmogenic isotope exposure-age dating (26Al, 10Be and 36Cl) of erratic boulders on ice-free land on James Ross Island, north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula, to define the evolution of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice in the adjacent Prince Gustav Channel. These data include ice-sheet extent, thickness and dynamical behaviour. Prior to ~18ka, the LGM Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet extended to the continental shelf-edge and transported erratic boulders onto high-elevation mesas on James Ross Island. After ~18ka there was a period of rapid ice-sheet surface-lowering, coincident with the initiation of the Prince Gustav Ice Stream. This timing coincided with rapid increases in atmospheric temperature and eustatic sea-level rise around the Antarctic Peninsula. Collectively, these data provide evidence for a transition from a thick, cold-based LGM Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet to a thinner, partially warm-based ice sheet during deglaciation. © 2013.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Glasser NF, Davies BJ, Carrivick JL, Rodes A, Hambrey MJ, Smellie JL, Domack E

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Quaternary Science Reviews

Year: 2014

Volume: 86

Pages: 78-88

Print publication date: 15/02/2014

Online publication date: 21/01/2014

Acceptance date: 13/11/2013

ISSN (print): 0277-3791

ISSN (electronic): 1873-457X

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.11.012

DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.11.012

Altmetrics

Share