Fjord network in Namibia: A snapshot into the dynamics of the late Paleozoic glaciation

Fjords are glacially carved estuaries that profoundly influence ice-sheet stability by draining and ablating ice. Although abundant on modern high-latitude continental shelves, fjord-network morphologies have never been identified in Earth’s pre-Cenozoic glacial epochs, hindering our ability to constrain ancient ice-sheet dynamics. We show that U-shaped valleys in northwestern Namibia cut during the late Paleozoic ice age (LPIA, ca. 300 Ma), Earth’s penultimate icehouse, represent intact fjord-network morphologies. This preserved glacial morphology and its sedimentary fill permit a reconstruction of paleo-ice thicknesses, glacial dynamics, and resulting glacio-isostatic adjustment. Glaciation in this region was initially characterized by an acme phase, which saw an extensive ice sheet (1.7 km thick) covering the region, followed by a waning phase characterized by 100-m-thick, topographically constrained outlet glaciers that shrank, leading to glacial demise. Our findings demonstrate that both a large ice sheet and highland glaciers existed over northwestern Namibia at different times during the LPIA. The fjords likely played a pivotal role in glacier dynamics and climate regulation, serving as hotspots for organic carbon sequestration. Aside from the present-day arid climate, northwestern Namibia exhibits a geomorphology virtually unchanged since the LPIA, permitting unique insight into this icehouse.

Glacial morphology of the Sara Mountains

The paper defines and presents the forms of glacial relief formed, most likely, during the last Pleistocene glacial maximum (LGM). A graphic and textual presentation of almost all glacial forms is given on the entire territory of the Sara Mountains, on both sides of their main ridge, from Ljuboten in the NE to the source tributaries of the Radika River in the SW. Based on the height position and spatial development of glacial forms, the height of the snow line (ELA) was determined, glacier types were determined and defined, which is shown on two overview maps representing Pleistocene glacial morphology and reconstructed Pleistocene glaciers referring to the last Pleistocene glacial (MIS-2). Since these are the youngest glacial morphological traces on the Sara Mountains, they are the best preserved today.

Pleistocene glacial morphology and timing of last glacial cycle in cantabrian mountains (Northern Spain): new chronological data from the Asón area

The timing of the local last glacial maximum in the mountains of the Northern Iberian Peninsula is not synchronous with the global Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) probably due to the marginal position of the Northern Iberian Peninsula within the European continent. The study of a Cantabrian massif, the Asón platform and summits, provides new data on the extent and timing of the local last glaciation. Here we can place the last maximal extent of glaciers during Early Würm, according to OSL dating on till samples. The main glaciers developed at least between 78-65 ka BP, well centred on MIS 4 and even the transition to MIS 5. The erosive efficacy of these glaciers decreased later, ca. 45–40 ka BP, until they abruptly disappeared from the edges of the massif. A new ice advance left well-defined moraines at the edges of the massif’s internal depressions, indicating a tongue disjunction phase with two glacier sub-stages, probably one at the beginning of the cooling ca. 27–25 ka BP, followed by a retreat and another glacial advance ca. 21–18 ka BP. After these episodes the glaciers disappeared from the Asón Mountains and only some residual glaciers were formed that may be related to the LGM.

Refined broad-scale sub-glacial morphology of Aurora Subglacial Basin, East Antarctica derived by an ice-dynamics-based interpolation scheme

Ice thickness data over much of East Antarctica are sparse and irregularly distributed. This poses difficulties for reconstructing the homogeneous coverage needed to properly assess underlying sub-glacial morphology and fundamental geometric constraints on sea level rise. Here we introduce a new physically-based ice thickness interpolation scheme and apply this to existing ice thickness data in the Aurora Subglacial Basin region. The skill and robustness of the new reconstruction is demonstrated by comparison with new data from the ICECAP project. The interpolated morphology shows an extensive marine-based ice sheet, with considerably more area below sea-level than shown by prior studies. It also shows deep features connecting the coastal grounding zone with the deepest regions in the interior. This has implications for ice sheet response to a warming ocean and underscores the importance of obtaining additional high resolution data in these marginal zones for modelling ice sheet evolution.

Refined broad-scale sub-glacial morphology of Aurora Subglacial Basin, East Antarctica derived by an ice-dynamics-based interpolation scheme

Ice thickness data over much of East Antarctica are sparse and irregularly distributed. This poses difficulties for reconstructing the homogeneous coverage needed to properly assess underlying sub-glacial morphology and fundamental geometric constraints on sea level rise. Here we introduce a new physically-based ice thickness interpolation scheme and apply this to existing ice thickness data in the Aurora Subglacial Basin region. The skill and robustness of the new reconstruction is demonstrated by comparison with new data from the ICECAP project. The interpolated morphology shows an extensive marine-based ice sheet, with considerably more area below sea-level than shown by prior studies. It also shows deep features connecting the coastal grounding zone with the deepest regions in the interior. This has implications for ice sheet response to a warming ocean and underscores the importance of obtaining additional high resolution data in these marginal zones for modelling ice sheet evolution.