Ice‐wedge casts and relict polygonal patterns in Scandinavia

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Abstract
Ice‐wedge casts in Scandinavia frequently occur in three regions: (a) southwestern Jutland (outside the limit of the Weichselian glaciation); (b) southwestern Sweden; and (c) northernmost Norway. The latter two areas are both early deglaciated regions. Characteristics of casts in vertical sections are discussed with reference to the host and infilling material. Aerial photographs provide an effective tool for detecting relict ice‐wedge polygons (crop marks, micromorphology). Experience from present‐day permafrost regions with active ice‐wedge formation helps to explain the palaeoclimatic significance of the relict polygons. Attempts to establish the ages of formation are discussed from a methodological point of view.