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Postglacial sedimentary and geomorphological evolution of a small sub-Antarctic fjord landscape, Stromness Bay, South Georgia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2012

Nathalie Van Der Putten ,
Cyriel Verbruggen ,
Helena Alexanderson ,
Svante Björck  and
Bart Van De Vijver
Nathalie Van Der Putten*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
Cyriel Verbruggen
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S8, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Helena Alexanderson
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
Svante Björck
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
Bart Van De Vijver
Affiliation:
National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Department of Cryptogamy (Bryophyta & Thallophyta), Domein van Bouchout, 1860 Meise, Belgium
*
nathalie.van_der_putten@geol.lu.se
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Abstract

A detailed stratigraphical, palaeoecological and geomorphological reconstruction of a fjord head on South Georgia (Husvik, Stromness Bay) is presented. Six sites were chosen to reconstruct the lithostratigraphy of the area by means of coring. A maximum depth of 11 m was attained and the sediments encountered vary from coarse gravel over sands to fine silts with, in some cases, intercalated peat layers. Diatom analysis allowed determination of whether the sedimentological units were deposited in a marine or freshwater environment. Six radiocarbon dates constrain the chronology. Deglaciation of the area was completed in the early Holocene and the postglacial geomorphological evolution of Husdal (unofficial name) was controlled by fluvio-deltaic deposition and sea level changes. Relative sea level rise was faster than, or kept pace with the isostatic rebound of the land. Our results challenge the presence of Late Glacial and Holocene raised beach deposits in the area as reported in earlier geomorphological studies.

Keywords

diatomsHolocene relative sea levelraised beachesstratigraphysub-Antarctic island
Type
Earth Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , June 2013 , pp. 409 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2012 

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