‘Little Ice Age’ glacier variations in Jotunheimen,southern Norwvay: a study in regionally controlled lichenometric dating of recessional moraines with implications for climate and lichen growth rates
Available accessResearch articleFirst published online January, 2005
‘Little Ice Age’ glacier variations in Jotunheimen,southern Norwvay: a study in regionally controlled lichenometric dating of recessional moraines with implications for climate and lichen growth rates
A new approach to regional lichenometric dating is developed and applied to‘Little Ice Age’ moraine-ridge sequences on 16 glacier forelands in Jotunheimen, southern Norway. Lichenometric-dating curves, based on the Rhizocarpon subgenus, are constructed independently for west, central and east Jotunheimen. Although there are differences between the subregions, a composite regional moraine chronology for Jotunheimen identifies 12 episodes of moraine formation in AD 1743-1750 (the regional‘Little Ice Age’ glacier maximum), 1762-1771, 1782-1790, 1796-1802, 1811-1818, 1833-1838, 1845-1854, 1860-1868, 1871-1879, 1886-1898, 1915-1922 and 1927-1934. Spatial and temporal patterns in glacier behaviour between the subregions and between Jotunheimen and the neighbouring Jostedalsbreen are explained in terms of the interaction of annual to decadal variations in summer temperature and winter precipitation: glacier advances and moraine-formation events driven primarily by winter-precipitation variations exhibit subregional patterns while summer-temperature forcing affects more synchronous glacier behaviour across the region. Regionally controlled lichenometric dating improves the accuracy of dating by up to about±20 years on relatively old moraines and is dependent on regional patterns in the rate of lichen growth. On relatively young surfaces, mean cumulative growth rate declines from about 0.75mm yr-1 in maritime west Jotunheimen to about 0.55mm yr-1 in continental east Jotunheimen (though the differential in growth rate is less on older surfaces).
Ahlmann, H.W.1922: Glaciers in Jotunheimen and their physiography . Geografiska Annaler4, 1-57 .
2.
Ahlmann, H.W.1935: Dannelsen av den siste endemorene ved Styggedalsbreen . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift5, 499-500 .
3.
Ahlmann, H.W.1940: The Styggedal glacier in Jotunheimen, Norway . Geografiska Annaler22, 95-130 .
4.
Andreassen, L.M. and Østrem, G.1999: Storbresymposiet: 50år med massebalansemålinger. Oslo: Norges vassdrags-og energidirektorat, Document 5.
5.
Aune, B.1993: Temperatur normaler, normalperiode 1961-90, Rapport 02/93. Oslo: Den Norske Meteorologiske Institutt .
6.
Battey, M.H. and McRitchie, W.D.1975: The petrology of the pyroxene-granulite facies rock of Jotunheimen . Norsk Geologiske Tidsskrift55, 1-49 .
7.
Beschel, R.E.1961: Dating rock surfaces by lichen growth and its application to glaciology and physiography (lichenometry). In Raasch, G.O. , editor, Geology of the Arctic, 1044-1062, Toronto: University of Toronto Press .
8.
Bickerton, R.H. and Matthews, J.A.1992: On the accuracy of lichenometric dates: an assessment based on the‘Little Ice Age’ moraine sequence of Nigardsbreen, southern Norway . The Holocene2, 227-237 .
9.
Bickerton, R.H. and Matthews, J.A.1993: ‘Little Ice Age’ variations of outlet glaciers from the Jostedalsbreen ice-cap, southern Norway: a regional lichenometricdating study of ice-marginal moraine sequences and their climatic significance . Journal of Quaternary Science8, 45-66 .
10.
Erikstad, L. and Sollid, J.L.1986: Neoglaciation in South Norway using lichenometric methods . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift40, 85-105 .
11.
Bickerton, R.H. and Matthews, J.A.1990: Memurubreene, Jotunheimen Glasialgeomorfologi 1:6500. Oslo: Norsk Institutt for Naturforskning og Avdeling for Naturgeografi, Universitetet i Oslo .
12.
Evans, D.J.A. , Archer, S. and Wilson, D.J.H.1999: A comparison of the lichenometric and Schmidt hammer dating techniques based on data from the proglacial areas of some Icelandic glaciers . Quaternary Science Reviews18, 13-41 .
13.
Fægri, K.1950: On the variations of western Norwegian glaciers during the last 200 years . Association Internationale d'Hydrologie Scientifique, Assemblee Geinerale d'Oslo, 1948, 2, 293-303 .
14.
FØrland, E.J.1993: NedbØrnormaler normalperiode 1961-90, Rapport 39/93. Oslo: Den Norske Meteorologiske Institutt .
15.
Griffey, N.J. and Matthews, J.A.1978: Major Neoglacial glacier expansion episodes in southern Norway: evidences from moraine ridge stratigraphy with 14C dates on buried palaeosols and moss layers . Geografiska Annaler60(A), 73-90 .
16.
Grove, J.M.1988: The Little Ice Age. London: Methuen .
17.
Haines-Young, R.H.1983: Size variation of Rhizocarpon on moraine slopes in southern Norway . Arctic and Alpine Research15, 295-305 .
18.
Hesselberg, T. and Birkeland, B.T.1941: Sakulare schwankungen des klimas von Norwegen, 2 Teil: der niederschlag . Geofysiske PublikasjonerXIV(5), 1-65 .
19.
Hoel, A. and Werenskiold, W.1962: Glaciers and snowfields in Norway . Norsk Polarinstitutt Skrifter126, 1-242 .
20.
Innes, J.L.1982: Lichenometric use of an aggregated Rhizocarpon 'species' . Boreas11, 53-57 .
21.
Innes, J.L.1983: Use of an aggregated Rhizocarpon 'species' in lichenometry: an evaluation . Boreas12, 183-190 .
22.
Innes, J.L.1985a: Lichenometry . Progress in Physical Geography9, 187-254 .
23.
Innes, J.L.1985b: Moisture availability and lichen growth: the effects of snow cover and streams on lichenometric measurements . Arctic and Alpine Research17, 417-424 .
24.
Innes, J.L.1985c: A standard Rhizocarpon nomenclature for lichenometry . Boreas14, 83-85 .
25.
Isaksen, K. , Hauck, C. , Gudevang, E. , Odegard, R.S. and Sollid, J.L.2002: Mountain permafrost distribution in Dovrefjell and Jotunheimen, southern Norway, based on BTS and DC resistivity tomography data . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift56, 122-136 .
26.
Jochimsen, M.1973: Does the size of lichen thalli really constitute a valid measure for dating glacial deposits?Arctic and Alpine Research5, 417-424 .
27.
Karlén, W. and Black, J.2002: Estimates of lichen growth-rate in northern Sweden . Geografiska Annaler84(A), 225-232 .
28.
Kjollmoen, B. , editor 2000: Glasiologiske undersokelse i Norge 1999. Oslo: Norges Vassdragsog Energidirektoret, Rapport 2/2000.
29.
Laumann, T. and Reeh, N.1993: Sensitivity to climate change of the mass balance of glaciers in southern Norway . Journal of Glaciology39, 656-665 .
30.
Lewis, W.V. , editor 1960: Norwegian cirque glaciers. RGS Research Series no. 4. London: Royal Geographical Society .
31.
Liestol, O.1967: Storbreen glacier in Jotunheimen, Norway . Norsk Polarinstitutt Skrifter141, 1-63 .
32.
Locke, W.W. , Andrews, J.T. and WebberO P.J.1979: A manual for lichenometry . British Geomorphological Research Group, Technical Bulletin26, 1-47 .
33.
Lutro, O. and Tveten, E.1996: Geologiske kart over Norge, bergrunnskart Ardal, Mdlestokk 1:250,000. Trondheim: Norges Geologiske Undersokelse .
34.
Matthews, J.A.1974: Families of lichenometric dating curves from the Storbreen gletschervorfeld, Jotunheimen, Norway . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift28, 215-235 .
35.
Matthews, J.A.1975: Experiments on the reprodicibility and reliability of lichenometric dates, Storbreen gletschervorfeld, Jotunheimen, Norway . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift29, 97-109 .
36.
Matthews, J.A.1977: A lichenometric test of the 1750 end-moraine hypothesis: Storbreen gletschervorfeld, southern Norway . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift31, 129-136 .
37.
Matthews, J.A.1980: Some problems and implications of 14C dates from a podzol buried beneath an end moraine at Haugabreen, southern Norway . Geografiska Annaler62(A), 185-208 .
38.
Matthews, J.A.1991: The late Neoglacial (‘Little Ice Age’) glacier maximum in southern Norway: new 14C-dating evidence and climatic implications . The Holocene1, 219-233 .
39.
Matthews, J.A.1993: Radiocarbon dating of arctic-alpine palaeosols and the reconstruction of Holocene palaoenvironmental change. In Chambers, F.M. , editor, Climatic change and human impact on the landscape, London: Chapman and Hall , 83-96.
40.
Matthews, J.A.1994: Lichenometric dating: a review with particular reference to‘Little Ice Age’ moraines in southern Norway. In Beck, C. , editor, Dating in exposed and surface contexts, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press , 185-212.
41.
Matthews, J.A.1997: Dating problems in the investigation of Scandinavian Holocene glacier variations. In Frenzel, B. , Boulton, G.S. , Gläser, B. and Huckreide, U. , editors, Glacier fluctuations during the Holocene, Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag, 141-157. (Palädoklimaforschung Volume 24; Special Isseue: European Palaeoclimate and Man No. 16).
42.
Matthews J.A. and Caseldine, C.J.1987: Arctic-alpine Brown Soils as a source of palaeoenvironmental information: further 14C dating and palynological evidence from Vestre Memurubreen, Jotunheimen, Norway . Journal of Quaternary Science2, 59-71 .
43.
Matthews, J.A. , Dawson, A.G. and Shakesby, R.A.1986: Lake shoreline development, frost weathering and rock platform erosion in an alpine periglacial environment . Boreas15, 33-50 .
44.
McCarroll, D.1994: A new approach to lichenometry: dating single-age and diachronous surfaces . The Holocene4, 383-396 .
45.
McCarroll, D. and Ware, M.1989: The variability of soil development on Preboreal moraine ridge crests, Breiseterdalen, southern Norway . Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift43, 31-36 .
46.
Nesje, A.1989: Glacier-front variations of outlet glaciers from Jostedalsbreen and climate in the Jostedalsbre region of western Norway in the period 1901-80 . Norsk Geograflsk Tidsskrift43, 3-17 .
47.
Nesje, A. and Dahl, S.O.2000: Glaciers and environmental change. London: Arnold .
48.
Nesje, A. , Johannessen, T. and Birks, H.J.B.1995: Briksdalsbreen, western Norway: climatic effects on the terminal response of a temperate glacier between AD 1901 and 1994 . The Holocene5, 343-347 .
49.
Nordenskiold, O.1917: Landskapsstudier i mellersta Norges fjelltrakter . Geografiska Föreningen i GöteborgII, 1-2 .
50.
Norske Meteorologiske Institutt1949: Nedboren i Norge 1895-1943. I. Middelverdier og Maksima. Oslo: Norske Meteorologiske Institutt .
Ostrem, G.1965: Problems of dating ice-cored moraines . Geografiska Annaler47(A), 1-38 .
53.
Ostrem, G. , Selvig, K.D. and Tandberg, K.1988: Atlas over breer i SorNorge. Oslo: Norges Vassdragsog Energiverk Vassdragsdirektoratet .
54.
Oyen, P.A.1893: Isbrestudier i Jotunheimen . Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne34, 2627 .
55.
Oyen, P.A.1908: Bidrag til vore breegnes glacialgeologi . Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne46, 301-379 .
56.
Oyen, P.A.l909a: Braemaaling i Norge 1908 . Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne47, 97-133 .
57.
Oyen, P.A.1909b: Br2eemaaling i Norge 1909 . Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne47, 369-403 .
58.
Oyen, P.A.1913: Brwemaaling i Norge 1910 . Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne51, 249-269 .
59.
Poelt, J.1988: Rhizocarpon Ram. em. Th. Fr. subgen. Rhizocarpon in Europe . Arctic and Alpine Research20, 292-298 .
60.
Rogstad, O.1951: Variations in the glacier mass of Jostedalsbreen . Journal of Glaciology1, 551-556 .
61.
Schroeder-Lanz, H.1983: Establishing lichen growth curves by repeated size (diameter) measurements of lichen individua in a test area. In Schroeder-Lanz, H. , editor, Lateand postglacial oscillations of glaciers: glacial and periglacial forms, Rotterdam: Balkema , 393-409.
62.
Shakesby, R.A. , Matthews, J.A. and Winkler, S.2004: Glacier variations in Breheimen, southern Norway: relative-age dating of Holocene moraine complexes at six high-altitude glaciers . The Holocene14, 899-910 .
63.
Vere, D. and Matthews, J.A.1985: Rock glacier formation from a lateral moraine at Bukkeholsbreen, Jotunheimen, Norway: a sedimentological approach . Zeitschrift fur Geomorfologie N.F.29, 397-415 .
64.
Vorren, T.O.1973: Glacial geology of the area between Jostedalsbreen and Jotunheimen, south Norway . Norges Geologiske Undersokelse291, 1-46 .
65.
Webber P.J. and Andrews, J.T.1973: Lichenometry: a commentary . Arctic and Alpine Research5, 293-432 .
66.
Werenskiold, W.1948: Breene . Den Norske Turistforeningens Arbok 1948, 107-113 .
67.
Winchester, V. and Sjoberg, R.2003: Lichenometry and beach ridge formation at Bidamalen on the north Bothnian coast, Sweden . Zeitschriftfur Geomorphologie N.F.47, 485-498 .
68.
Winkler, S. , Matthews, J.A. , Shakesby, R.A. and Dresser, P.Q.2003: Glacier variations in Breheimen, southern Norway: dating Little Ice Age moraine sequences at seven low-altitude glaciers . Journal of Quaternary Science18, 395-413 .
69.
Worsley, P.1990: Lichenometry. In Goudie, A. , editor, Geomorphological techniques (second edition), London: Unwin Hyman , 422-428.
