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Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum

© 2016 Detailed bathymetric and sub-bottom acoustic observations in Bourgeois Fjord (Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula) provide evidence on sedimentary processes and glacier dynamics during the last glacial cycle. Submarine landforms observed in the 50 km-long fjord, from the margins of modern tid...

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Main Authors: Marga Garcia, Julian A. Dowdeswell, R. Noormets, K.A. Hogan, Jeffrey Evans, Colm O Cofaigh, Robert D. Larter
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Published: 2016
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2134/23198
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author Marga Garcia
Julian A. Dowdeswell
R. Noormets
K.A. Hogan
Jeffrey Evans
Colm O Cofaigh
Robert D. Larter
author_facet Marga Garcia
Julian A. Dowdeswell
R. Noormets
K.A. Hogan
Jeffrey Evans
Colm O Cofaigh
Robert D. Larter
author_sort Marga Garcia (7191626)
collection Figshare
description © 2016 Detailed bathymetric and sub-bottom acoustic observations in Bourgeois Fjord (Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula) provide evidence on sedimentary processes and glacier dynamics during the last glacial cycle. Submarine landforms observed in the 50 km-long fjord, from the margins of modern tidewater glaciers to the now ice-distal Marguerite Bay, are described and interpreted. The landforms are grouped into four morpho-sedimentary systems: (i) glacial advance and full-glacial; (ii) subglacial and ice-marginal meltwater; (iii) glacial retreat and neoglaciation; and (iv) Holocene mass-wasting. These morpho-sedimentary systems have been integrated with morphological studies of the Marguerite Bay continental shelf and analysed in terms of the specific sedimentary processes and/or stages of the glacial cycle. They demonstrate the action of an ice-sheet outlet glacier that produced drumlins and crag-and-tail features in the main and outer fjord. Meltwater processes eroded bedrock channels and ponds infilled by fine-grained sediments. Following the last deglaciation of the fjord at about 9000 yr BP, subsequent Holocene neoglacial activity involved minor readvances of a tidewater glacier terminus in Blind Bay. Recent stillstands and/or minor readvances are inferred from the presence of a major transverse moraine that indicates grounded ice stabilization, probably during the Little Ice Age, and a series of smaller landforms that reveal intermittent minor readvances. Mass-wasting processes also affected the walls of the fjord and produced scars and fan-shaped deposits during the Holocene. Glacier-terminus changes during the last six decades, derived from satellite images and aerial photographs, reveal variable behaviour of adjacent tidewater glaciers. The smaller glaciers show the most marked recent retreat, influenced by regional physiography and catchment-area size.
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spelling rr-article-94830172016-01-01T00:00:00Z Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum Marga Garcia (7191626) Julian A. Dowdeswell (7190999) R. Noormets (7191182) K.A. Hogan (7191176) Jeffrey Evans (1254507) Colm O Cofaigh (7190984) Robert D. Larter (7191005) Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified Antarctic Peninsula Fjord systems Last Glacial Maximum Glacial sedimentary processes Geomorphology ROV-Derived bathymetry Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified © 2016 Detailed bathymetric and sub-bottom acoustic observations in Bourgeois Fjord (Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula) provide evidence on sedimentary processes and glacier dynamics during the last glacial cycle. Submarine landforms observed in the 50 km-long fjord, from the margins of modern tidewater glaciers to the now ice-distal Marguerite Bay, are described and interpreted. The landforms are grouped into four morpho-sedimentary systems: (i) glacial advance and full-glacial; (ii) subglacial and ice-marginal meltwater; (iii) glacial retreat and neoglaciation; and (iv) Holocene mass-wasting. These morpho-sedimentary systems have been integrated with morphological studies of the Marguerite Bay continental shelf and analysed in terms of the specific sedimentary processes and/or stages of the glacial cycle. They demonstrate the action of an ice-sheet outlet glacier that produced drumlins and crag-and-tail features in the main and outer fjord. Meltwater processes eroded bedrock channels and ponds infilled by fine-grained sediments. Following the last deglaciation of the fjord at about 9000 yr BP, subsequent Holocene neoglacial activity involved minor readvances of a tidewater glacier terminus in Blind Bay. Recent stillstands and/or minor readvances are inferred from the presence of a major transverse moraine that indicates grounded ice stabilization, probably during the Little Ice Age, and a series of smaller landforms that reveal intermittent minor readvances. Mass-wasting processes also affected the walls of the fjord and produced scars and fan-shaped deposits during the Holocene. Glacier-terminus changes during the last six decades, derived from satellite images and aerial photographs, reveal variable behaviour of adjacent tidewater glaciers. The smaller glaciers show the most marked recent retreat, influenced by regional physiography and catchment-area size. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 2134/23198 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Geomorphic_and_shallow-acoustic_investigation_of_an_Antarctic_Peninsula_fjord_system_using_high-resolution_ROV_and_shipboard_geophysical_observations_Ice_dynamics_and_behaviour_since_the_Last_Glacial_Maximum/9483017 CC BY 4.0
spellingShingle Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified
Antarctic Peninsula
Fjord systems
Last Glacial Maximum
Glacial sedimentary processes
Geomorphology
ROV-Derived bathymetry
Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified
Marga Garcia
Julian A. Dowdeswell
R. Noormets
K.A. Hogan
Jeffrey Evans
Colm O Cofaigh
Robert D. Larter
Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title_full Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title_fullStr Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title_full_unstemmed Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title_short Geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an Antarctic Peninsula fjord system using high-resolution ROV and shipboard geophysical observations: Ice dynamics and behaviour since the Last Glacial Maximum
title_sort geomorphic and shallow-acoustic investigation of an antarctic peninsula fjord system using high-resolution rov and shipboard geophysical observations: ice dynamics and behaviour since the last glacial maximum
topic Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified
Antarctic Peninsula
Fjord systems
Last Glacial Maximum
Glacial sedimentary processes
Geomorphology
ROV-Derived bathymetry
Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified
url https://hdl.handle.net/2134/23198