Abstract
The extent of the Inland Ice during the last ice age reveals apleniglacial equilibrium with a low accumulation. A postglacial equilibrium with high accumulation is indicated by relatively constant extent of the ice during the last 5000-6000 years. The climatic change from pleniglacial to postglacial conditions is considered to have taken place around 12 500 B.P., the subsequent recession of the Inland Ice expressing its adaption to a new equilibrium state. The form and shape of the Inland Ice is such that the initial postglacial warming-up only slightly increased the ablation area and thus loss by ablation. The actual loss oi volume between 12 500 and 6000 B.P. can therefore only be explained by a continuous period of low average accumulation lasting until 8000 B.P. Since the Inland Ice must have been dose to the lower threshold of its existence in postglacial time, its total disappearance during a warm interglacial period cannot be excluded, but is still beyond final proof.
Highlights
The lnland lce is considered to have reached c10se to its last maximum at 15 000 B
Ii the height of the equilibrium line is kept under constant postglacial conditions and the reduction of the Inland Ice continued beyond its present limits a continuation of the calving component and the ablation as a function of the distance from the Wisconsin-Weichsel maximum wonld require the accumnlation shown in fig
A total disappearance of the Inland Ice might have left its mark in deep sea cores as a decrease of iceberg transported material
Summary
The lnland lce is considered to have reached c10se to its last maximum at 15 000 B. These might explain the peculiar form and trend of the coastal Wisconsin-Weichsel moraines of Peary Land, and the distribution of erratic boulders along the coast (Dawes, 1970). E. about 14 cm water equivalent per annum; With a surfaee area of 2.3 X 106 km (Flint, 1971), a surfaee profile similar to the present and a lowering of the glaciation limit by 600-700 m, the ablation area would at most be about 2 Ofo of the total area of the Inland lee (0.05 X 106 km2) and the accumulation area 98 Ofo (2.25 X 106 km). A - - - - - - - l 1 0 0 0 m o niglacial and present glaciation limits, recessional stages and adherent average elevation of mected to present glaciation limit as a function of altitude. a: ablation gradient
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