Late Weichselian cirque-glacier fluctuations on Andøya, northern Norway

The sedimentary record indicates several cirque glacier fluctuations during the Bolling (14.69-14.07 ka b2k) and Allerod (14.07-12.89 ka b2k) substages whereas the Younger Dryas (12.9-11.07 ka b2k) became progressively more stable. These results contradict results from southern Norway concerning timing and magnitude of glacier events during the last deglaciation. The moraine chronology shows several large advances suggested to have taken place prior to 17 ka b2k when the cirque glaciers coalesced. This indicates that the continental ice sheet in the nearby Andfjord was situated below a local bedrock threshold at c. 80 m a.s.l. during this period. Prior to or at the onset of the Bolling substage, large parts of the coalesced cirque glaciers melted away and resulted in three individual cirque glaciers. Exposure dating from the moraine chronology is in progress. The ongoing project will give new insight on the climate dynamics and variability related to the inflow of Atlantic water, sea-ice cover and moisture supply to coastal northern Norway during the Late Weichselian.