Recent marginal changes of the Mittivakkat Glacier, Southeast Greenland and the discovery of remains of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and peaty material

• Published in: Geografisk tidsskrift 2008-01, Vol.108 (1), p.137-142
• Main Authors: Knudsen, N. Tvis, Nørnberg, P., Yde, Jacob C., Hasholt, Bent, Heinemeier, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic; Bgi / Prodig; carbon-14 dating; climate change; Greenland; Mittivakkat Glacier; Physical geography; polar bear; Polar regions; Reindeer
• ISSN: 0016-7223; 1903-2471
• DOI: 10.1080/00167223.2008.10649579

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 108(1):137-142, 2008 During field observations in August 2005 antler remains of a reindeer were found at a recently deglaciated site at about 500 m asl., and bones from a polar bear were found at about 300 m asl. along the margin of Mittivakkat Glacier, Southeast Greenland. Radio carbon dating determined the age of the samples to 720 14 C years and 350 14 C years, respectively. In August 2006 old surface vegetation covering peaty material became exposed due to ice recession close to the site where the antler was found. The radio carbon age of small roots from the material was determined to 1530 14 C years, and is in agreement with dating of woody remains of Salix glauca found close by, at the top of a nearby nunatak in 1999. The antler indicates that reindeer lived in the area when the glacier began to advance from a position where it was close to or smaller than today. The vegetation surface and peaty material indicate that the climate was warmer before the onset of the Little Ice Age in Southeast Greenland than today.