The last interglacial-glacial cycle in Denmark

Abstract

The stratigraphy of Late Pleistocene interglacial, interstadial and stadial deposits in Denmark shows radical alternation of marine and terrestrial environments within the last interglacial-glacial cycle (Isotope Stages 6-2). Climatically dependent environmental changes, eustatic and isostatic responses, combined with the advance and retreat of glaciers, are elements in a chronostratigraphic model for SW Scandinavia. The Late Saalian Børglum-Margreteberg interstade (Isotope Stage 6) was characterized by arctic to boreo-arctic marine conditions and tundra vegetation. The Eemian interglaciation (Isotope Substage 5e) reflects high sea levels with boreo-lusitanian marine faunas and dense temperate forests. In the Early Weichselian Brørup interstade (Isotope Substage 5c), boreal to boreo-arctic seas with relatively low water level prevailed along with open forest vegetation. The Middle Weichselian commenced with arctic seas accompanied by ice-rafting and followed by major glacier cover possibly reaching eastern Denmark (Karmøy-Ristinge-Göteborg I stade, Isotope Stage 4). The Bø-Older Dösebacka-Hirtshals interstade (Isotope Stage 3) witnessed boreo-arctic conditions with ice-rafting and the establishment of a park tundra vegetation. During the later Jæren-Göteborg II-Vennebjerg stade (Isotope Stage 3) shelf-ice appeared in high arctic Kattegat and Skagerrak along with surging glaciers in the Baltic. The Middle Weichselian Isotope Stage 3 ended with the Sandnes-Møn-Gärdslöv interstade. Park tundra and boreo-arctic seas prevailed. The Late Weichselian, Jylland stade (Isotope Stage 2), comprises complex stadial conditions with glacier advance and retreat. The Jylland stade peaked with the maximum extension of Weichselian glaciers along the Main Stationary Line, equivalent to the Frankfurt-Poznan glacial stage on the north European continent.