Abstract
New geologic data from western Iceland reveal raised marine terraces at elevations between 105 and 148 m a.s.l., 45–80 m above the late Younger Dryas (ca. 10.3 ka BP) raised beaches in the region. Radiocarbon dating assigns the high marine levels a Bølling Interstadial age of ca. 12.6 ± 0.1 ka BP. Inferred gradient for raised Bølling beaches in the lower Borgarfjördur area is close to 2.3 m km−1. The marine terraces indicate a Bølling glacio-isostatic crustal depression of up to 250 ± 20 m, reflecting ice thickness of up to 840 ± 150 m. This is close to previously estimated Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice thickness. The Icelandic crust responds rapidly to changes in ice-load. Gradual thinning and retreat of the Icelandic ice sheet would have been concurrently compensated for by isostatic rebound, inhibiting formation of raised shorelines reflecting LGM isostatic crustal depression. The B0lling shorelines, together with recent marine and geophysical data, indicate a very rapid deglaciation of western Iceland shelf and coastal areas around ca. 12.6 ka BP. The rapid deglaciation coincides with a period of rapid eustatic sea-level rise, which destabilized the western part of the Icelandic ice sheet and caused it to collapse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
