Sedimentation and Palaeoenvironment in Isfjorden, Spitsbergen
Abstract
Lithological and geochemical (XRD) analyses of one sediment core give information on the sedimentary processes and the palaeoenvironmental conditions in central Isfjorden. The core has a till at the base which is overlain by stratified glacimarine sediments. Marked fluctuations in the mineralogical composition and general fining-upward within the glacimarine sediments suggest frequent source changes as well as the transition from a glacier-proximal to a glacier-distal sedimentary environment. A glacimarine diamicton, characterised by a muddy matrix and relatively high amounts of ice-rafted debris, overlies the stratified sediments. The final glacier retreat terminated around 11 300 cal. BP (calendar years before present). Sediments deposited between 11 300 and 8800 cal. BP comprise low amounts of clasts indicating relatively low glacial activity. An increase in clast content coinciding with a change in mineralogical composition around 8800 cal. BP probably relate to an increase in glacial activity. A second change in the mineralogical composition around 4200 cal. BP is assumed to reflect another increase in glacial activity.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMPP43A1216F
- Keywords:
-
- 1616 Climate variability (1635;
- 3305;
- 3309;
- 4215;
- 4513);
- 1637 Regional climate change;
- 4926 Glacial;
- 4936 Interglacial