Research Article| May 22, 2019 Enhanced surface melting of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet during periods of North Atlantic cooling Steven M. Boswell; Steven M. Boswell 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964, USA2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Samuel Toucanne; Samuel Toucanne 3Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Unité de Recherche Géosciences Marines, F-29280 Plouzané, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mathilde Pitel-Roudaut; Mathilde Pitel-Roudaut 3Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Unité de Recherche Géosciences Marines, F-29280 Plouzané, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Timothy T. Creyts; Timothy T. Creyts 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Frédérique Eynaud; Frédérique Eynaud 4Laboratoire Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC), UMR 5805, Université de Bordeaux, F-33615 Pessac, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Germain Bayon Germain Bayon 3Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Unité de Recherche Géosciences Marines, F-29280 Plouzané, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2019) 47 (7): 664–668. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46370.1 Article history received: 15 Aug 2018 rev-recd: 12 Apr 2019 accepted: 26 Apr 2019 first online: 22 May 2019 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Steven M. Boswell, Samuel Toucanne, Mathilde Pitel-Roudaut, Timothy T. Creyts, Frédérique Eynaud, Germain Bayon; Enhanced surface melting of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet during periods of North Atlantic cooling. Geology 2019;; 47 (7): 664–668. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G46370.1 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 Heinrich events (HEs) are dramatic episodes of marine-terminating ice discharge and sediment rafting during periods of cold North Atlantic climate. However, the causal chain of events leading to their occurrence is unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that enhanced surface melting of land-terminating margins of the southern Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (FIS) is a recurring feature of Heinrich stadials (HSs), the cold periods during which HEs occur. We use neodymium isotopes to show that the Channel River transported detrital sediments from the interior of eastern Europe to the Bay of Biscay in the northeast Atlantic Ocean at ca. 158–154 ka. Based on similar evidence from the last glacial period, we infer that this interval corresponds to the melting and retreat of the southern FIS margin despite contemporaneous cooling in the North Atlantic and central Europe. The FIS melting episode occurred just prior to a HE, consistent with findings from the more recent HSs 1, 2, and 3. Based on this evidence, we clarify a sequence of events that precedes HEs. Precursor melting of North Atlantic–adjacent ice sheets induces an initial Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) slowdown. Atmospheric changes during the resulting HS cause summertime warming in northern Europe that drives enhanced FIS melting. Subsequent meltwater discharge to the North Atlantic further weakens the AMOC and warms the intermediate water masses that contribute to HEs. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.