Geomorphological and sedimentological records of glacial events in the northern marginal zone of Tungnaárjökull, Iceland, since the Little Ice Age

Abstract

We present geomorphological mapping of glacilacustrine and glacifluvial landforms and lithofacies analysis of deposits in the northern part of the marginal zone of Tungnaárjökull as it retreated from its Little Ice Age (LIA) maximum. This is the first time that this type of study has been conducted in the marginal zone of Tungnaárjökull. Landforms identified included preserved shorelines, small wave-cut platforms, fossil deltas and a kame terrace, all associated with ice-dammed lakes. Lake, delta and kame depositional environments were interpreted on the basis of sedimentological analysis. Ice-dammed lakes developed in the northern part of the forefield as a result of Tungnaárjökull damming the outflow of meltwater between its snout and the Jökulgrindur volcanic ridge. Based on historical maps and aerial photographs the damming of meltwater was probably associated with the 1945 surge.