Chapter 11 - Antarctic Ice Sheet changes since the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract

Technological advances in the study and dating of both land and marine glacial geologic features, combined with both glaciological and post-glacial isostatic rebound modelling, have developed knowledge and understanding of the Antarctic Ice Sheets at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and their subsequent changes. Here, we review geological evidence for the extent and timing of the maximum advance of the East and West Antarctic Ice Sheets and the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet during the most recent glacial cycle. We also discuss evidence for the rate and timing of post-LGM ice-sheet retreat. Geological data provide a very important ‘first-hand’ record of ice-sheet changes over a range of time periods. They are also useful for constraining and improving models that have the potential to both fill in the gaps where geological data are unavailable, and to make predictions about the future. In reviewing the glacial geological evidence, we provide a benchmark against which future ice-sheet modelling exercises can be assessed.