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

Glasser, N.F., Davies, B.J., Carrivick, J.L., Rodés, A. , Hambrey, M.J., Smellie, J.L. and Domack, E. (2014) Ice-stream initiation, duration and thinning on James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula. Quaternary Science Reviews, 86, 78 - 88. (doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.11.012)

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 ∼18 ka, 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 ∼18 ka 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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: <!-- Tag Not Handled —><keyword id=#kwrd0010#>Antarctica
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rodes, Dr Angel
• Authors: Glasser, N.F., Davies, B.J., Carrivick, J.L., Rodés, A., Hambrey, M.J., Smellie, J.L., and Domack, E.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Quaternary Science Reviews
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0277-3791
• ISSN (Online): 1873-457X
• Published Online: 21 January 2014