The Late Weichselian Glaciation and Holocene Shore Displacement on Prins Oscars Land, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Abstract

In 1980, the glacial sculpture, shore displacement and lake sediments were studied on Prins Oscars Land, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The results indicate that there was a thin ice cover over the area in the Late Weichselian. An advance of Austfonna reached the southern part of the peninsula, whereas a mainly cold-based ice cap was built-up in the north. The maximal glaciation occurred earlier in the Weichselian. The evidence of a relatively insignificant glacial expansion in the Late Weichselian agrees with indications of large ice-free areas in other northern areas of Svalbard at this time. The ice retreated from the coast areas of Prins Oscars Land 11 000 to 10 000 years B.P. In the north there are indications of a considerably longer ice-free period in areas below the Postglacial marine limit. Since the deglaciation, shore displacement has been almost 45 m in the northern part of the peninsula and over 55 m in the south. A distinct terrace at about 15 m in the north and 20 m in the south was formed 8000 to 6500 years ago. Pumice is frequently associated with the terrace. The altitude of the terrace does not agree with the elevation of the marine limit or with other evidence of a relatively modest thickness of the ice cover. The explanation may be that the crustal uplift has been influenced by other factors in addition to the glacio-isostatic rebound. Hence, the value of the pumice levels as indicators of the Late Weichselian glacial conditions is also discussed.