Ice-stream initiation, duration and thinning on James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula

• Published in: Quaternary science reviews 2014-02, Vol.86, p.78-88
• Main Authors: Glasser, N.F., Davies, B.J., Carrivick, J.L., Rodés, A., Hambrey, M.J., Smellie, J.L., Domack, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarctica; Cosmogenic isotope dating; Ice streams; Marine
• ISSN: 0277-3791; 1873-457X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.11.012

Predicting the future response of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to climate change requires an understanding of the ice streams that dominate its dynamics. Here we use cosmogenic isotope exposure-age dating (26Al, 10Be and 36Cl) of erratic boulders on ice-free land on James Ross Island, north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula, to define the evolution of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice in the adjacent Prince Gustav Channel. These data include ice-sheet extent, thickness and dynamical behaviour. Prior to ∼18 ka, the LGM Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet extended to the continental shelf-edge and transported erratic boulders onto high-elevation mesas on James Ross Island. After ∼18 ka there was a period of rapid ice-sheet surface-lowering, coincident with the initiation of the Prince Gustav Ice Stream. This timing coincided with rapid increases in atmospheric temperature and eustatic sea-level rise around the Antarctic Peninsula. Collectively, these data provide evidence for a transition from a thick, cold-based LGM Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet to a thinner, partially warm-based ice sheet during deglaciation. •New cosmogenic isotope exposure-age dating on James Ross Island.•Defines the evolution of LGM ice in the Prince Gustav Channel.•Insight into former ice-sheet extent, thickness and dynamical behaviour.•Rapid ice-sheet surface lowering.