Absence of large-scale ice masses in central Northeast Siberia during the Late Pleistocene

Jesper Nørgaard, Martin Margold, John D. Jansen, Redzhep Kurbanov, Izabela Szuman, Jane Lund Andersen, Jesper Olsen, Mads Faurschou Knudsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ongoing speculation regarding the existence of large Late Pleistocene ice masses in Northeast Eurasia reflects the dearth of age constraints on glaciations across this vast region. Here, we report the first dates from the central part of Northeast Siberia, consisting of 22 cosmogenic 10Be exposure ages from boulders deriving from a sequence of three moraines in the Chersky Range. The dated moraine sequence indicates progressive contraction of maximum glacier extent from Marine Isotope Stage 6 to the Last Glacial Maximum, while the remotely-sensed mapping indicates an older, more expansive glaciation in the region yet undated. Our results show that Late Pleistocene glaciations were limited to the highlands, and Northeast Siberia did not host a large, coalescent ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum or Marine Isotope Stage 6.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2023GL103594
Number of pages10
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume50
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 May 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • boulder erratics
  • cosmogenic nuclides
  • exposure dating
  • glacial moraines
  • ice sheet
  • mountain glaciers

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 5: Nature and Climate

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