Age and duration of a MIS 3 interstadial in the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet core area – implications for ice sheet dynamics

Kleman, J., Hättestrand, M., Borgström, I., Fabel, D. and Preusser, F. (2021) Age and duration of a MIS 3 interstadial in the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet core area – implications for ice sheet dynamics. Quaternary Science Reviews, 264, 107011. (doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107011)

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Abstract

Previous assumptions of continuous ice cover of the core area of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, from Marine Isotope Stage 4 (ca. 70 ka) to the end of MIS 2 (ca. 12 ka), have been challenged by the discovery of several sites in central and northern Scandinavia with interstadial sediments of assumed MIS 3 age. The sequences have often been dated by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and dates of around 55 ka are present at most sites, indicating ice-free conditions at this time. There is less consensus about the timing of the build-up and advance of the last (Late Weichselian) ice sheet after this ice-free stage. To address the duration of MIS 3 ice-free conditions in central Scandinavia, we reviewed available dating evidence. At the few sites where multiple OSL dates are available, ages indicate around 15 ka of ice-free conditions. Two studies employing cosmogenic nuclide dating of preserved interstadial ground surfaces both indicate a 20 ka long period of ice-free conditions during the last ice-free period before the Holocene. Our interpretation is that central Scandinavia became ice-free around 55 ka and remained so until c. 35 ka, when the Scandinavian Ice Sheet started to expand once again. Expansion started from a small-sized remnant ice sheet, or from separate remnant ice caps in Norway. Available data limits the size of any Scandinavian ice sheet remnant surviving the MIS 3 interstadial to less than 1 m of global sea-level equivalent.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was supported by grants to J. Kleman from the Swedish Research Council (VR).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fabel, Dr Derek
Authors: Kleman, J., Hättestrand, M., Borgström, I., Fabel, D., and Preusser, F.
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:17 June 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Quaternary Science Reviews 264: 107011
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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