Holocene glacier fluctuations at Hardangerjøkulen, central-southern Norway: a high-resolution composite chronology from lacustrine and terrestrial deposits

Abstract

Holocene glacier fluctuations at the northern sector of Hardangerjøkulen, central-southern Norway, are reconstructed from four radiocarbon-dated lake and terrestrial sites in the Finse region. For the first time, detailed information has been obtained concerning the number, age and magnitude of Scandinavian glacier variations from the early to mid-Holocene. The deglaciation of the continental ice sheet occurred prior to 9100BP, after which the glacier readvanced and deposited terminal moraines beyond the 'Little Ice Age' maximum limits. At 8600 BP, the glacier retreated before another readvance occurred that culminated at 7600 BP. Except for a glacier advance bracketed to 6300-5300 BP, there are no indications for the existence of glaciers on the Hardangerjøkulen Plateau during the interval 7500-4800 BP. The period 4800-3800 BP was characterized by high-frequency glacier fluctuations of small local glaciers, with the largest minor advance bracketed between 4100 and 3800 BP. Since c. 3800 BP, glaciers have existed continuously on the Hardangerjøkulen Plateau and, after c. 2900 BP, sediments deposited by meltwater from these glaciers are found on the top of all investigated sites along the modern drainage route. Prior to the 'Little Ice Age' readvance, which at Blåisen is maximum dated to 575 ± 75 BP (cal. AD 1305-(1400)-1420), two minor glacier oscillations occurred about 1100 and 700BP.