Permafrost changes in Europe during the last glacial

Reconstruction of former permafrost is based on specific indicators which represent relics of features developed above or within the permafrost. Their interpretation in terms of genesis and (palaeo)climatic significance, however, is in some cases still under debate. Previously the reconstruction of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
Main Authors: J. Vandenberghe, A. Pissart
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430040205
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Summary:Reconstruction of former permafrost is based on specific indicators which represent relics of features developed above or within the permafrost. Their interpretation in terms of genesis and (palaeo)climatic significance, however, is in some cases still under debate. Previously the reconstruction of the periglacial environment in Europe was limited to permafrost mapping during the coldest time of the last glaciation. Today a much more refined evolution of the palaeoclimate of the last glacial has been established, thanks to a considerable increase in registered periglacial indicators, a better understanding of the corresponding climate conditions, and more accurate and reliable dating of the periglacial phenomena. La reconnaissance de l'existence d'un pergélisol ancien est basée sur des indicateurs qui sont les traces de phénomènes développés au‐dessus et au sein du pergélisol. Leur interprétation en termes de genèse et de signification paléoclimatique est toutefois dans quelques cas, toujours en discussion. Autrefois la reconnaissance de l'environnement périglaciaire en Europe était limitée à la cartographie du pergélisol au moment du maximum du froid de la dernière glaciation. Actuellement, une meilleure reconstitution de l'évolution du climat pendant la dernière période froide est établie grǎce à une augmentation considérable des indicateurs périglaciaires, une meilleure compréhension de leur signification paléoclimatique et une datation plus précise et plus fiable des phénomènes périglaciaires.