Bottom geomorphology and the problem of pleistocene glaciation of the Barents Sea shelf

Abstract

On the basis of new lithological geomorphological data composition and distribution is considered of marginal glacial formations, as well as the main features of lithogenesis and morphogenesis and the character of the Barents Sea shelf glaciation. Conclusion is made of the formation of submarine glacial relief by the continental glaciers of Scandinavia, Kola Peninsula, Novaya Zemlya. Spitzbergen, Franz-Josef Land and Bear Island. During the maximum Middle Pleistocene glaciation ice sheets occupied the most part of the Barents Sea shelf. During the Valdai glaciation only near-shore shelf and marginal troughs were under glaciers, while in the shelf depressions there were basins with pack and fast ice, shelf glaciers being destructed.