Multiple cosmogenic nuclides document complex Pleistocene exposure history of glacial drifts in Terra Nova Bay (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica)

• Published in: Quaternary Research
• Main Authors: Luigia Di Nicola, Stefan Strasky, Christian Schluchter, Naki Akcar, Peter W. Kubik, Marcus Christl, Haino Uwe Kasper, Rainer Wieler, Carlo Baroni, SALVATORE, Maria Cristina
• Other Authors: Luigia Di, Nicola, Stefan, Strasky, Christian, Schluchter, Salvatore, Maria Cristina, Naki, Akcar, Peter W., Kubik, Marcus, Christl, Haino Uwe, Kasper, Rainer, Wieler, Carlo, Baroni
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE 2009
• Subjects: antarctica; complex exposure history; exposure age; landscape evolution; multiple cosmogenic nuclide approach; northern victoria land; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Victoria Land
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11573/37665; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2008.07.004; http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000262380800010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=0c7ff228ccbaaa74236f48834a34396a; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-57649240511&partnerID=65&md5=48cf832242d8d068e534532119a2ba62

Geomorphological and glacial geological surveys and multiple cosmogenic nuclide analyses ((10)Be, (26)Al, and (21)Ne) allowed Lis to reconstruct the chronology of variations prior to the last glacial maximum of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) and valley glaciers in the Terra Nova Bay region. Glacially scoured coastal piedmonts with round-topped mountains occur below the highest local erosional trimline. They represent relict landscape features eroded by extensive ice overriding the whole coastal area before at least 6 Ma (predating the build-Lip of the Mt. Melbourne volcanic field). Since then, summit surfaces were continuously exposed and well preserved under polar condition with negligible erosion rates on the order of 17 cm/Ma. Complex older drifts rest on deglaciated areas above the younger late-Pleistocene glacial drift and below the previously overridden summits. The combination of stable and radionuclide isotopes documents complex exposure histories with Substantial periods of burial combined with minimal erosion. The areas below rounded summits were repeatedly exposed and buried by ice from local and outlet glaciers. The exposure ages of the older drift(s) indicate multiple Pleistocene glacial cycles, which did not significantly modify the pre-existing landscape. (C) 2008 University of Washington. All rights reserved.