Barlow, NLM orcid.org/0000-0002-2713-2543, Bentley, MJ, Spada, G et al. (6 more authors) (2016) Testing models of ice cap extent, South Georgia, sub-Antarctic. Quaternary Science Reviews, 154. pp. 157-168. ISSN 0277-3791
Abstract
The extent of Last Glacial Maximum ice in South Georgia is contested, with two alternative hypotheses: an extensive (maximum) model of ice reaching the edge of the continental shelf, or a restricted (minimum) model with ice constrained within the inner fjords. We present a new relative sea-level dataset for South Georgia, summarising published and new geomorphological evidence for the marine limit and elevations of former sea levels on the island. Using a glacial isostatic adjustment model (ALMA) specifically suited to regional modelling and working at high spatial resolutions, combined with a series of simulated ice-load histories, we use the relative sea-level data to test between the restricted and extensive ice extent scenarios. The model results suggest that there was most likely an extensive Last Glacial Maximum glaciation of South Georgia, implying that the island was covered by thick (>1000 m) ice, probably to the edge of the continental shelf, with deglaciation occurring relatively early (ca. 15 ka BP, though independent data suggest this may have been as early as 18 ka). The presence of an extensive ice cap extending to the shelf edge would imply that if there were any biological refugia around South Georgia, they must have been relatively localised and restricted to the outermost shelf.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016, Elsevier Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Quaternary Science Reviews. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Last Glacial Maximum; glacial isostatic adjustment; sea-level change; South Georgia; sub-Antarctic; coastal geomorphology |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Institute for Applied Geosciences (IAG) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Nov 2016 15:01 |
Last Modified: | 18 Nov 2017 01:38 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.11.007 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.11.007 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:107105 |