Glacier Variations in the Svartisen Area, Northern Norway

ABSTRACT

Moraine systems fronting 25 glaciers in the Svartisen, Okstindan, and Saltfjell areas were studied. Samples for C¹⁴ dating were obtained from 7 moraines, and lichenometric data were gathered from about 125 moraines. The earliest C¹⁴ dated maxima were from 2800 C¹⁴ yr B.P., but there was evidence that a few glaciers reached relatively advanced positions prior to this: early advances may have occurred about 6000 and 4500 C¹⁴ yr B.P. Radiocarbon dates suggested that glaciers reached Holocene maxima around 2800, 1900. 1500–1300, 1100 and 600 C¹⁴ yr. B P. The majority of the moraines dated by lichenometry were from the 14th century or later. During this interval spanning 600 years glaciers advanced frequently, but no single period was marked by an outstandingly large number of well-preserved moraines.