Precise chronology of Little Ice Age expansion and repetitive surges of Langjökull, central Iceland

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2015 Precise chronology of Little Ice Age expansion and repetitive surges of Langjökull, central Iceland Darren J. Larsen; Darren J. Larsen 1Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík 101, Iceland2Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA *Current address: Department of Geology and Planetary Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Áslaug Geirsdóttir; Áslaug Geirsdóttir 1Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík 101, Iceland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gifford H. Miller Gifford H. Miller 1Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík 101, Iceland2Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2015) 43 (2): 167–170. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36185.1 Article history received: 13 Aug 2014 rev-recd: 26 Nov 2014 accepted: 05 Dec 2014 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Darren J. Larsen, Áslaug Geirsdóttir, Gifford H. Miller; Precise chronology of Little Ice Age expansion and repetitive surges of Langjökull, central Iceland. Geology 2015;; 43 (2): 167–170. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G36185.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The nonlinear and complex behavior of glacier dynamic processes (e.g., surging and ice calving) presents major challenges for future estimates of runoff and sea-level change. Because direct observations are temporally limited, reconstructions of past fluctuations from glaciers that undergo dynamic advance and/or retreat are valuable. We constructed a 300 yr, annually resolved record of surges and terminus fluctuations of Langjökull ice cap (central Iceland) using a novel combination of varve counting, multibeam bathymetry, seismic imagery, and multiple sediment cores from targeted sites in Hvítárvatn, a large proglacial lake. Langjökull achieved its maximum Neoglacial extent between ca. A.D. 1700 and ca. 1930, when two outlet glaciers, Norðurjökull and Suðurjökull, advanced into the lake and maintained active calving margins. Norðurjökull advanced into the basin ca. 1720, and remained at or near its maximum extension for most of the 19th century, whereas Suðurjökull underwent a quasi-periodic series of 8 surges between 1828 and 1930, with a recurrence interval of 14 ± 4 yr. Each surge event resulted in fragmentation of the glacier terminus during advances of up to1.6 km that occurred in <2 yr. Collapse of the expanded ice, iceberg melting, and reestablishment of the ice front at a nearshore grounding line occurred within 1–3 yr of the surge. Surges converted glacier ice to runoff at ∼10× the non-surging rate. Our precise estimates of the timing, duration, and magnitude of Suðurjökull surges provide ideal targets for the next generation of glacier surge models. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.