Glacier Margin Fluctuations during the 19th and 20th Centuries in the Ikamiut Kangerdluarssuat Area, West Greenland
- 31 January 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Arctic and Alpine Research
- Vol. 13 (1) , 47-62
- https://doi.org/10.2307/1550625
Abstract
Lichenometric dating suggests that the maximum recent extent of cirque and small valley glaciers occurred before about A.D. 1850, although there is evidence for more extensive valley glacierization before about A.D. 1745. Between about 1850 and about 1968/1969 progressive recession of the glaciers was interrupted by brief periods of reactivation during the 1880s, 1920s and early 1940s. Since about 1968/1969, the glacier fronts have advanced by up to 158 m following a marked climatic recession during the 1960s and early 1970s. In general, fluctuations of the glaciers have been in sympathy with prevailing climatic trends and show a relatively rapid response following temperature changes and a lagged response of at least 9 yr following precipitation changes. Fluctuations of larger valley and icefield outlet glaciers are out of phase with the others which may reflect a greater time lag of 20-30 yr in their response to precipitation changes.This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cryoconite Holes on Sermikavsak, West GreenlandJournal of Glaciology, 1979
- Recent Glacial History of an Alpine Area in the Colorado Front Range, U.S.A.: I. Establishing a Lichen-Growth CurveJournal of Glaciology, 1967