Observations of surge periodicity in East Greenland using molybdenum records from marine sediment cores

John Woodward, Steve Carver, Helmar Kunzendorf, Ole Bennike

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter in bookResearchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper describes a unique record of glacier flow instability for East Greenland during the Little Ice Age. Trace metal analysis of sediment cores collected during 1998 from the Noret Inlet in the Mesters Vig area of East Greenland shows two peaks in the molybdenum (Mo) record at 495 ± 40 years BP and 95 ± 2 years BP. This is notable as there is no molybdenum mineralization in the geology of the Noret Inlet catchment area. Molybdenum is found, however, in the drainage basin of Mesters Vig Inlet, just to the south of the Noret Inlet. The molybdenum record in the Noret core provides a long-term surge record for the Östre Gletscher, a large surge-type glacier in the Werner Bjerge that drains into Mesters Vig Inlet. The two molybdenum peaks indicate surge termination for the glacier, indicating a surge recurrence interval of around 400 years.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGlacier-influenced sedimentation on high-latitude continental margins
EditorsJ.A. Dowdeswell, C.Ó. Cofaigh
PublisherGeological Society of London
Pages367-373
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)1-86239-120-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Publication series

SeriesGeological Society Special Publication
Volume203
ISSN0305-8719

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 5: Nature and Climate

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