Extensive mountain glaciation in central Patagonia during Marine Isotope Stage 5

Mendelová, M., Hein, A. S., Rodes, A. and Xu, S. (2020) Extensive mountain glaciation in central Patagonia during Marine Isotope Stage 5. Quaternary Science Reviews, 227, 105996. (doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.105996)

Abstract

The timing and magnitude of glacial advances throughout a glacial cycle can give insight on the underlying drivers of climate change. Our knowledge of glacial activity early in a glacial cycle, however, is limited by incomplete preservation of the geomorphological record. Here, we present a -dated glacial chronology from early in the last glacial cycle from the Belgrano valley, east of Monte San Lorenzo in central Patagonia. Our chronology reveals the most extensive glacial advance of the last glacial cycle occurred at 75 ka, at the end of Marine Isotope Stage 5. A second, less-extensive advance occurred at 25 ka during the global Last Glacial Maximum. The topographic setting is such that ice growth would have initiated on and around the San Lorenzo massif at the start of the glacial cycle. We suggest reduced southern hemisphere summer insolation at the time played a significant role in driving this early advance. The comparatively smaller glacier extent during the global Last Glacial Maximum is likely a consequence of the build-up of the full Patagonian Ice Sheet, which would have caused ice-divide migration, ice-flow re-routing, and increased aridity on its lee side.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by a NERC PhD studentship (NE/L002558/1) to MM. Analysis was supported by NERC CIAF grant (9167/0416). The British Society for Geomorphology, Quaternary Research Association, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Explorers Club supported the 2018 field campaign. We also acknowledge funding from the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society (Small Grants Scheme), and the Moray Endowment Fund from the University of Edinburgh.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Xu, Dr Sheng and Rodes, Dr Angel

Creator Roles

Rodes, A.: Investigation, Writing – review and editing
Xu, S.: Investigation

• Authors: Mendelová, M., Hein, A. S., Rodes, A., and Xu, S.
• 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: 08 November 2019