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A new approach for reconstructing glacier variability based on lake sediments recording input from more than one glacier

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Kristian Vasskog ,
Øyvind Paasche ,
Atle Nesje ,
John F. Boyle  and
H.J.B. Birks
Kristian Vasskog*
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Allégaten 55, N-5007 Bergen, Norway
Øyvind Paasche
Affiliation:
Bergen Marine Research Cluster, University of Bergen, Professor Keysers Gate 8, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Atle Nesje
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Allégaten 55, N-5007 Bergen, Norway
John F. Boyle
Affiliation:
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Roxby Building, Liverpool L69 7ZT, United Kingdom
H.J.B. Birks
Affiliation:
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Allégaten 55, N-5007 Bergen, Norway Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, London, WC1E 6BY, UK School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
*
*Corresponding author at: Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Allégaten 55, N-5007, Norway. Fax: + 47 55589416. E-mail address:kristian.vasskog@uni.no (K. Vasskog).
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Abstract

We explore the possibility of building a continuous glacier reconstruction by analyzing the integrated sedimentary response of a large (440 km2) glacierized catchment in western Norway, as recorded in the downstream lake Nerfloen (N61°56’, E6°52’). A multi-proxy numerical analysis demonstrates that it is possible to distinguish a glacier component in the ~ 8000-yr-long record, based on distinct changes in grain size, geochemistry, and magnetic composition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reveals a strong common signal in the 15 investigated sedimentary parameters, with the first principal component explaining 77% of the total variability. This signal is interpreted to reflect glacier activity in the upstream catchment, an interpretation that is independently tested through a mineral magnetic provenance analysis of catchment samples. Minimum glacier input is indicated between 6700–5700 cal yr BP, probably reflecting a situation when most glaciers in the catchment had melted away, whereas the highest glacier activity is observed around 600 and 200 cal yr BP. During the local Neoglacial interval (~ 4200 cal yr BP until present), five individual periods of significantly reduced glacier extent are identified at ~ 3400, 3000–2700, 2100–2000, 1700–1500, and ~ 900 cal yr BP.

Keywords

Glacierswestern Norwaylake sedimentsprincipal component analysisenvironmental magnetismXRF analysis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 77 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 192 - 204
Copyright
University of Washington

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