Late Holocene climatic Forcing of Geomorphic Activity in the Faroe Islands

Abstract

The location of the Faroe Islands in a climatically uniquely sensitive part of the North Atlantic region provides opportunities to register timing and severity of late Holocene climatic changes reflecting variations in thermohaline circulation. An altitudinal range of 250-450 m a.s.l. represents the modern lower limit for periglacial activity, corresponding to a mean annual air temperature of 5-3.5°C. Above this range, active periglacial features are widespread and plant growth restricted. The periglacial zone extends to the top of the highlands (maximum altitude 882 m a.s.l.). The Iate 20th century climate in the Faroe Islands is characterised by extreme humidity and strong winds, rather than extreme cold. The present treeline is close to sea level, and the potential present discontinuous permafrost level is situated 300-500 m above the highest mountains. Likewise, the modern potential glaciation level is presumably situated only 150-250 m above the highest mountains. During cold intervals of the Little Ice Age the lower limit for periglacial activity may temporarily have approached sea level, simultaneous with incipient establishment of sporadic permafrost in the highlands, and a number of sites in the highest mountains then were presumablyclose to reglaciatíon.