European Glacial Landscapes

Maximum Extent of Glaciations

1st Edition - November 18, 2021
Editors: David Palacios, Philip D. Hughes, Jose M. Garcia-Ruiz, Nuria de Andrés
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 3 4 9 8 - 3
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 3 6 0 7 - 9

European Glacial Landscapes: Maximum Extent of Glaciations brings together relevant experts on the history of glaciers and their impact on the landscape of the main regions o… Read more

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European Glacial Landscapes: Maximum Extent of Glaciations brings together relevant experts on the history of glaciers and their impact on the landscape of the main regions of Europe. In some regions the largest recorded glaciations occurred before the Last Glacial Cycle, in one of the major glacial cycles of the Middle Pleistocene. However, the best-preserved evidence of glaciation in the landscape is from the Last Glacial Cycle (Late Pleistocene). The book also analyses these older glacial landforms that can sometimes still be seen in the landscape today. This analysis provides a better understanding of the succession of Pleistocene glaciations and the intervening interglacial periods, examining their possible continental synchrony or asynchrony of past glacier behaviour. The result of this analysis gives important new insights and information on the origin and effects of climatic and geomorphological variability across Europe.

European Glacial Landscapes: Maximum Extent of Glaciations examines the landscapes produced by glaciers throughout Europe, the geomorphological effects of glaciations, as well as the chronology and evolution of the past glaciers, with the aim of understanding the interrelationship between glacial expansion and climate changes on this continent. This book is a valuable tool for geographers, geologist, environmental scientists, researchers in physics and earth sciences.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
About the editors
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
Chapter Outline
1.1 The advance in knowledge of the glacial landscapes
1.2 Objectives of the book
1.3 The glaciated European regions
1.4 The climatic context during the sculpting of the European glacial landscapes
1.5 The age and characteristics of European glacial landscapes
1.6 Standardised ages and maps used in the book
References
Chapter 2. The Quaternary ice ages
Abstract
Chapter Outline
2.1 The discovery of the Quaternary ice ages
2.2 The antecedents of the Quaternary ice ages
2.3 Causes and characteristics of the Quaternary ice ages
References
Chapter 3. Previous synthesis of European Glacial Landscapes
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Part II: The distribution of glacial landscapes in Europe
Section 1: European regions that were covered by the European Ice Sheet Complex (EISC)
Chapter 4. The European Ice Sheet Complex
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 5. Glacial landscapes of Fennoscandia
Abstract
Chapter Outline
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Scandinavian Mountains
5.3 Fennoscandian Shield
5.4 Baltic Sea
5.5 Denmark and Skåne
5.6 Glacial research in Fennoscandia
References
Chapter 6. Glacial landscapes of Northern Central Europe
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 7. Glacial landscapes of European Russia
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 8. The Eurasian Arctic
Abstract
Chapter Outline
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Barents Sea
8.3 High Arctic islands and archipelagos
8.4 Kara Sea and Arctic Russia
8.5 Glacial knowledge of the Eurasian Arctic
References
Chapter 9. The North Sea and Mid-Norwegian continental margin
Abstract
Chapter Outline
9.1 The North Sea
9.2 The Mid-Norwegian continental margin
References
Chapter 10. Glacial landscapes of Britain and Ireland
Abstract
Chapter Outline
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Ireland
10.3 Wales
10.4 England
10.5 Scotland
References
Section 2: European regions that not were covered by the EISC
Chapter 11. Glacial landscapes of the Ural Mountains
Abstract
Chapter Outline
11.1 Brief description of the mountain range’s geology and geomorphology
11.2 Climate
11.3 Today’s glaciers
11.4 Ice Age glaciations
11.5 Summary
References
Chapter 12. Glacial landscapes of Iceland
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 13. Glacial landscapes of the Tatra Mountains
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 14. Glacial landscapes of the Romanian Carpathians
Abstract
Chapter Outline
14.1 Introduction
14.2 The Eastern Carpathians
14.3 The Southern Carpathians
14.4 The Apuseni Mountains
14.5 Progress in the knowledge of the glacial landscapes
References
Chapter 15. Glacial landscapes of the Alps
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 16. Glacial landscape of the Pyrenees
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 17. The Iberian Peninsula (except for the Pyrenees)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
17.1 Introduction
17.2 The Cantabrian Mountains
17.3 The NW ranges
17.4 Central Range
17.5 Iberian Range
17.6 Sierra Nevada
17.7 Progress in the knowledge of the glacial landscapes
References
Chapter 18. The Italian Peninsula
Abstract
Chapter Outline
18.1 Introduction
18.2 The Northern Apennines
18.3 Central Apennines
18.4 Southern Apennines
18.5 Progress in the knowledge of the glacial landscapes
References
Chapter 19. Glacial landscapes of the Balkans
Abstract
Chapter Outline
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Greece
19.3 Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo
19.4 Dinaric Alps, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia
19.5 Bulgaria
References
Chapter 20. The Anatolian Peninsula
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Further reading
Part III: Climate changes during the Last Glacial Cycle in the eastern North Atlantic region
Section 1: The Last Glacial Cycle
Chapter 21. An overview of the Last Glacial Cycle
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 22. Ice volume and sea-level changes during Last Glacial Cycle: evidence from marine records
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 23. Definition of the Last Glacial Cycle marine stages and chronology
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 24. Abrupt climatic variability: Dansgaard–Oeschger events
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 25. Abrupt (or millennial or suborbital) climatic variability: Heinrich events/stadials
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 26. The Global Last Glacial Maximum: the Eastern North Atlantic (marine sediments) and the Greenland Ice Sheet climatic signal
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Part IV: European glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (Before 29 ka)
Chapter 27. Concept and global context of the glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
27.1 Pleistocene glacial cycles
27.2 Pre-LGM glaciations in Europe
27.3 The importance of the pre-LGM glaciations on the landscapes of Europe
References
Section 1: European regions that were covered by the European Ice Sheet Complex (EISC)
Chapter 28. The EISC evolution prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
28.1 Overview of EISC evolution
28.2 Implications for ice sheet–climate system interactions
28.3 Landscapes of the EISC prior to the LGM
28.4 Outlook
References
Chapter 29. Fennoscandia: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
29.1 Introduction
29.2 Denmark and Skåne
29.3 Fennoscandian Shield
29.4 Scandinavian Mountain range
References
Chapter 30. Northern Central Europe: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 31. European Russia: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
31.1 European Russia glacial landforms from MIS 16
31.2 European Russia glacial landforms from Penultimate Glacial Cycle (Saalian, MIS 8–6)
31.3 European Russia glacial landforms from MIS 5, 4, and 3
References
Chapter 32. The Eurasian Arctic: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (before 29 ka)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
32.1 Introduction
32.2 Barents Sea
32.3 High Arctic islands and archipelagos
32.4 Kara Sea and Arctic Russia
References
Chapter 33. The North Sea and Mid-Norwegian Continental Margin: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 34. Britain and Ireland: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
34.1 Middle Pleistocene glaciations
34.2 Late Pleistocene pre-Last Glacial Maximum glaciations
34.3 Summary
References
Section 2: European regions that not were covered by the EISC
Chapter 35. The Ural Mountains: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
35.1 Introduction
35.2 Style of glaciation
35.3 Middle Pleistocene glaciations
35.4 Pre-LGM glacial advances during the Last Glacial Cycle
35.5 MIS 4 was a cold period with a major drop in the glacier equilibrium line altitudes
35.6 Ice-free interval during MIS 3
35.7 Possible regrowth of glaciers during a late stage of MIS 3
35.8 Summary
References
Chapter 36. Iceland: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 37. The Tatra Mountains: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 38. The Romanian Carpathians: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
38.1 Introduction
38.2 Eastern Carpathians
38.3 Southern Carpathians
References
Chapter 39. The Alps: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
39.1 Introduction
39.2 Early and Middle Pleistocene glaciations
39.3 Late Pleistocene (Last Glacial Cycle) glaciations
References
Chapter 40. The Pyrenees: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
40.1 The most extensive glaciation of the Late Pleistocene occurred before the LGM
40.2 Preliminary indications of major glacier fluctuations during MIS 3
40.3 Middle Pleistocene glaciation: still poorly documented
References
Chapter 41. The Iberian Mountains: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
41.1 Introduction
41.2 Cantabrian Mountains
41.3 NW ranges
41.4 Central Range
41.5 Iberian Range
41.6 Betic Range
References
Chapter 42. The Italian mountains: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
42.1 Introduction
42.2 Northern Apennines
42.3 Central Apennines
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 43. The Balkans: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
43.1 Middle Pleistocene glaciations
43.2 Late Pleistocene, pre-LGM glaciation
References
Chapter 44. The Anatolian mountains: glacial landforms prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
44.1 Introduction
44.2 Eastern Black Sea Mountains
44.3 Western Taurus Mountains
44.4 Northwestern Anatolia
References
Section 3: Synthesis of Part III
Chapter 45. The European glacial landscapes prior to the Last Glacial Maximum - synthesis
Abstract
Chapter Outline
45.1 Glacial landforms of the European Ice Sheet Complex prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
45.2 Glacial landforms beyond the EISC: on Iceland and in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe
45.3 Major similarities/differences between regions and their causes
45.4 The pre-LGC European landscapes in a global context
45.5 Pending research
References
Part V: The European glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum (29–19 ka)
Chapter 46. Concept and global context of the glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
46.1 The Last Glacial Maximum
46.2 Defining the LGM
46.3 The geomorphological legacy of the LGM
References
Section 1: European regions that were covered by the European Ice Sheet Complex (EISC)
Chapter 47. European Ice Sheet Complex evolution during the Last Glacial Maximum (29–19 ka)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
47.1 EISC evolution during the Last Glacial Maximum (29–19 ka)
47.2 LGM landscapes and landforms of the EISC
47.3 Cold-based ice landscapes of the LGM EISC
47.4 Outlook
References
Chapter 48. Fennoscandia: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
48.1 Introduction
48.2 Denmark and Skåne
48.3 Fennoscandian Shield
48.4 Ice sheet thickness: the Baltic Sea and the Scandinavian Mountains
References
Chapter 49. Northern Central Europe: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 50. European Russia: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 51. The Eurasian Arctic: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
51.1 Introduction
51.2 Barents Sea
51.3 High Arctic islands and archipelagos
51.4 Kara Sea and Arctic Russia
References
Chapter 52. The North Sea and Mid-Norwegian continental margin: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 53. Britain and Ireland: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
53.1 The evolving limits of the Last Glacial Maximum in Britain and Ireland
53.2 Lateral limits
53.3 Vertical limits
53.4 Timing of advance and maximum extension of the BIIS in the Late Devensian (MIS 2) and the geomorphological legacy
References
Section 2: European regions that were not covered by the EISC
Chapter 54. The Ural Mountains: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
54.1 Introduction and background
54.2 LGM moraines in the forefield of the Chernov Glacier
54.3 Moraines in forefield of Moscow University Glacier
54.4 Moraine ridge in the Hynotayakha Valley SW of Bol. Shchuchye
54.5 Lake sediments in Bol. Shchuchye
54.6 Enigmatic moraine ridge on the northern tip of the Polar Urals
54.7 The emergence of mountain glaciers and their size and distribution during the LGM
54.8 Summary
References
Chapter 55. Iceland: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
55.1 Introduction
55.2 Last Glacial Maximum limits on the southern Iceland shelf
55.3 Last Glacial Maximum limits around the West Fjords Peninsula
55.4 Geomorphological signatures of Last Glacial Maximum ice flow
55.5 Modelling perspectives of the Iceland Ice Sheet during Last Glacial Maximum
55.6 Problems and potentials of the Iceland Ice Sheet during Last Glacial Maximum
References
Chapter 56. The Tatra Mountains: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 57. The Romanian Carpathians: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum (29–19 ka)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
57.1 Introduction
57.2 Eastern Carpathians
57.3 Southern Carpathians
57.4 Apuseni Mountains
References
Chapter 58. The Alps: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 59. The Pyrenees: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
59.1 Introduction
59.2 Precise constraints on LGM glacier positions in the eastern half of the range
59.3 Imprecise constraints on LGM glacier positions in the western half of the range
59.4 A precipitation gradient between the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the LGM?
References
Chapter 60. The Iberian Mountains: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
60.1 Introduction
60.2 Cantabrian Mountains
60.3 NW ranges
60.4 Iberian Range
60.5 Central Range
60.6 Betic Range
References
Chapter 61. The Italian mountains: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
61.1 Introduction
61.2 Northern Apennines
61.3 Central Apennines
61.4 Southern Apennines
61.5 Sicily
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 62. The Balkans: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
62.1 Introduction
62.2 Greece
62.3 Bulgaria
62.4 North Macedonia/Kosovo
62.5 Montenegro
62.6 Bosnia and Herzegovina
62.7 Croatia
62.8 Slovenia
62.9 Conclusion
References
Chapter 63. The Anatolian Mountains: glacial landforms from the Last Glacial Maximum
Abstract
Chapter Outline
63.1 Introduction
63.2 Eastern Black Sea Mountains
63.3 Western Taurus Mountains
63.4 Central Taurus Mountains
63.5 Northwestern Anatolia
63.6 Central Anatolia
63.7 Anatolian LGM glaciations: a synthesis
References
Section 3: Synthesis of Part IV
Chapter 64. The European glacial landscapes from the Last Glacial Maximum - synthesis
Abstract
Chapter Outline
64.1 Glacial landforms of the European Ice Sheet Complex from the Last Glacial Maximum
64.2 Glacial landforms beyond the EISC: Iceland, the Urals, and the mountains of Central and Southern Europe
64.3 Major similarities/differences between regions and their causes
64.4 The European landscapes in a global context
64.5 Pending research
References
Part VI: Synthesis of the European Landscapes from maximum glacial extension
Chapter 65. The importance of European glacial landscapes in a context of great climatic variability
Abstract
Chapter Outline
65.1 Maximum glaciations—final summary
65.2 The importance of European glacial landscapes in the context of global climate change
65.3 The importance of European glacial landscapes as geoheritage
65.4 Deglaciation—the end of widespread glaciation in Europe
References
Index

David Palacios

David Palacios is Full Professor of Physical Geography at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. He has been the coordinator for Spanish National Projects since 1998 to the present, and Spanish coordinator of two European Projects. He has served as founder and director of the High Mountain Physical Geography excellence research group for 12 years, and has authored over 200 international research papers, 100 chapters, and has edited five books.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain

Philip D. Hughes

Philip Hughes is Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He obtained his first degree in geography at the University of Exeter graduating in 1999. This was followed by a Masters in Quaternary Science, then a PhD in Geography (2004), both at the University of Cambridge (Darwin College). His PhD was on the glacial history of the Pindus Mountains, Greece. This was then followed by a postdoctoral research project examining the glacial history of Montenegro at the University of Manchester (2004-2006). He has since worked on glaciation across the Mediterranean mountains in Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Spain and with recent research activities focusing on the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. His research has utilised U-series dating and cosmogenic nuclides to date moraines in a variety of different lithologies, from limestones to basalts. In addition to studies of Mediterranean mountain glaciations he has also published on global glaciations and stratigraphy in Quaternary science. In addition to several edited scientific volumes on glaciation, in 2016 he published the textbook The Ice Age with co-authors Jürgen Ehlers and Philip Gibbard. In 2011 Philip also edited with these co-authors the highly successful Elsevier volume Quaternary Glaciation: Extent and Chronology – A Closer Look. Philip Hughes is Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Physical Geography, University of Manchester, UK

Jose M. Garcia-Ruiz

José M. García-Ruiz is Ad Honorem Research Professor of the National Research Council of Spain (CSIC) at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology. He was the Head of the University College of La Rioja (1982-1984), the head of the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (1988-1990) and President of the Spanish Society of Geomorphology (1994-1996). His main focuses of interest have been related with the interactions between land use changes and their consequences on soil erosion, connectivity between hillslopes and fluvial channels, and fluvial dynamics. The evolution of mountain landscapes since mid-Holocene has been also a main focus of research, in relation with deforestation caused by paleolithic shepherds and Middle Ages transhumant herds, including the recent afforestation caused by land abandonment and the decline of transhumance systems. In parallel, he has published a high number of studies on glacial evolution in northern Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the Pyrenees.

Affiliations and expertise

Ad Honorem Research Professor, Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC), Spain

Nuria de Andrés

Nuria de Andrés is Professor of Physical Geography at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). Her PhD was on the application of GIS to the study of hazards in tropical high volcanoes (Mexico and Peru). She has participated in 22 research projects funded in public calls and she is currently leading a research project on the reconstruction of neoglacial oscillations in Iceland. She has published nearly a hundred research papers on the dynamics of deglaciation in mountains and its impact on geodiversity. Her research work focuses on the study of glacier and periglacial geomorphology in mountain areas through the application of different dating techniques and GIS. In addition to the Iberian mountains, she has conducted research in other mountain regions (northern Iceland, Western United States, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Peruvian Andes), which has given her a broad understanding of land surface processes in cold climate environments. She heads the High Mountain Physical Geography excellence research group.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Geography Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

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European Glacial Landscapes

Maximum Extent of Glaciations

Purchase options

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

David Palacios

Philip D. Hughes

Jose M. Garcia-Ruiz

Nuria de Andrés