New ¹⁰Be cosmogenic ages from the Vimmerby moraine confirm the timing of Scandinavian ice sheet deglaciation in southern Sweden

Johnsen, T.F., Alexanderson, H., Fabel, D. and Freeman, S. (2009) New ¹⁰Be cosmogenic ages from the Vimmerby moraine confirm the timing of Scandinavian ice sheet deglaciation in southern Sweden. Geografiska Annaler. Series A: Physical Geography, 91(2), pp. 113-120. (doi: 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2009.00358.x)

Abstract

The overall pattern of deglaciation of the southern part of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet has been considered established, although details of the chronology and ice sheet dynamics are less well known. Even less is known for the south Swedish Upland because the area was deglaciated mostly by stagnation. Within this area lies the conspicuous Vimmerby moraine, for which we have used the terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (¹⁰Be) exposure dating technique to derive the exposure age of six glacially transported boulders. The six ¹⁰Be cosmogenic ages are internally consistent, ranging from 14.9 ± 1.5 to 12.4 ± 1.3 ka with a mean of 13.6 ±0.9 ka. Adjusting for the effects of surface erosion, snow burial and glacio-isostatic rebound causes the mean age to increase only by c. 6% to c. 14.4± 0.9 ka. The ¹⁰Be derived age for the Vimmerby moraine is in agreement with previous estimates forthe timing of deglaciation based on radiocarbon dating and varve chronology. This result shows promise for further terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide exposure studies in southern Sweden.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fabel, Dr Derek and Freeman, Professor Stewart
• Authors: Johnsen, T.F., Alexanderson, H., Fabel, D., and Freeman, S.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences; College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Geografiska Annaler. Series A: Physical Geography
• ISSN: 0435-3676
• ISSN (Online): 1468-0459
• Published Online: 04 June 2009