Climate and glacier variations since the Last Glacier Maximum in Jan Mayen - ClimJaM
Informations
- Funding country
Norway- Acronym
- -
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 1/1/2015
- End date
- 12/31/2019
- Budget
- 474,780 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLIMAFORSK - Large scale programme on Climate | Grant | - | - | 474,780 EUR |
Abstract
Jan Mayen is located in a climate-sensitive position between cold and warm waters far from any land mass in the Greenland Sea. Thus, the island`s geographical position and the lack of glacial- and paleoclimatic data from the island, stress the importance of collecting such data. In this project we have provided information on glacier variations the last ca. 100 000 years and sedimentological data from lake sediments. Aims have been to fill an important gap in the knowledge of paleoclimatic changes and thereby enhance the understanding of natural climate variability and the role of the Arctic in the global climate system. Through this project we have revealed past geological and environmental changes since the last Glacial Maximum providing data both for the international scientific community as well as for national management authorities and the general public. Publication in international scientific journals are in progress and some laboratory analyses are still pending. Results so far show that the entire island has been covered by glaciers at least twice, the last time about 20 000 years ago. We have also recorded climate- and glacier variations that has taken place in post-glacial times. This is also recorded in the southern, presently unglaciated part of the island. Sediment cores from the largest lake on Jan Mayen are now being analyzed. Preliminary results indicate high sedimentation rate and thus potentially high time resolution. Recorded ash beds from former, unknown volcanic eruptions are recorded, and these may become important tools for correlating paleoclimate events. Results from the project have been presented at several national and international conferences, as popular science presentations, in news media, and to the County Governor of Nordland who is managing the Jan Mayen nature reserve.