Geological and Geomorphological Indicators of the Surge Behavior of the Aldegonda Glacier (West Spitsbergen) in the Little Ice Age
https://doi.org/10.31857/S0435428120010071
Abstract
On the basis of landform analysis of the Aldegonda Glacier proglacial zone, geomorphological indicators of its surge behavior in the Little Ice Age were proposed based on the features and rates of ice propagation and degradation during the phases of advance and retreat. These features were reconstructed from the configuration and location of lateral and terminal moraines (submarine and terrestrial) and according to historical data. Two different age generations of the left lateral moraine ridges were distinguished. The young lateral moraine dated to the Little Ice Age is oriented parallel to the axis of the glacier movement, and the ancient one (older than 12 ka) is at an angle to it. The difference in orientation is due to the different rate of the glacier movement that was slower before 12 ka ago and faster at 700–100 years ago. Different mechanisms were established for the formation of two terminal moraines: pushing (below sea level) and dumping (on land). The first one was interpreted as the result of rapid glacier advance, and the second one – as the result of the stabilization of the glacier front during the areal degradation of the terrestrial part of the glacier’s advanced tongue, followed by a rapid retreat of the front, as established by historical information. Landforms-indicators, such as fluted moraine and crevasse-fill ridges were suggested as the additional geomorphological features of surge behavior.
Keywords
lateral moraines,
marginal zone,
glacial landforms,
palaeosurge,
submarine end moraine ridge,
surge glacier
Supporting agencies: The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project № 16-35-00274 мол_a and by Faculty of Geography MSU (AAAA-A16-116032810055-0). Participation of B.R. Mavlyudov supported within the framework of the State contracts No. 0148-2019-0004 (AAAA-A19-119022190172-5), 01272019-0009 and by IAEA project INT5153.
About the Authors
O. V. Kokin
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography
Russian Federation
Moscow
Russian Federation
Moscow
B. R. Mavlyudov
Institute of Geography RAS
Russian Federation
Moscow
Russian Federation
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Kokin O.V., Mavlyudov B.R. Geological and Geomorphological Indicators of the Surge Behavior of the Aldegonda Glacier (West Spitsbergen) in the Little Ice Age. Geomorfologiya. 2020;(1):81-95. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31857/S0435428120010071
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