European Glacial Landscapes

The Holocene

1st Edition - October 21, 2023
Editors: David Palacios, Philip D. Hughes, Vincent Jomelli, Luis M. Tanarro
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 7 1 2 - 6
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 7 1 3 - 3

European Glacial Landscapes: The Holocene presents the current state of knowledge on glacial landscapes of Europe and nearby areas over the Holocene to deduce the influence… Read more

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European Glacial Landscapes: The Holocene presents the current state of knowledge on glacial landscapes of Europe and nearby areas over the Holocene to deduce the influence of atmospheric and oceanic currents and the insolation forcing variability and volcanic activity on Holocene paleoclimates, the existence of asynchronies in the timing of occurrence of glacier expansion and shrinkage during the Holocene, time lags between the identification of oceanic and atmospheric changes and those occurring in glacial extension during the Holocene, the role of Holocene glaciers on the climate of Europe, and on sea level variability, and the delimitation of landscapes that need special protection.

Students, academics and researchers in Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Physics and Earth Science departments will find this book provides novel findings of all the major European Regions in a single publication, with updated information about Holocene glacial geomorphology and paleo-climatology and clear figures that model the landscapes covered.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
About the editors
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Holocene glacial landscapes
Abstract
Chapter Outline
1.1 The arrival of the Holocene in Europe
1.2 The status of European glaciers at the beginning of the Holocene
1.3 The meaning of the Holocene epoch
1.4 The Holocene and its climatic variability
1.5 The Holocene and its climatic forcing mechanisms
1.6 The Holocene and its atmospheric circulation variability
1.7 The evolution of sea level during the Holocene and its impact in the shorelines
1.8 Holocene environmental change and humans
1.9 The organisation of this book
References
Chapter 2. Homogenisation of cosmic-ray exposure ages
Abstract
Chapter Outline
References
Chapter 3. Quaternary interglacials
Abstract
Chapter Outline
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The concept of interglacial
3.3 The definition and the numbers of interglacials
3.4 The origin of interglacials
3.5 Differences between interglacials
3.6 The end of interglacials and the beginning of a new glaciation
3.7 The Holocene and the last interglacial
3.8 Conclusions
References
Chapter 4. Synthesis of Holocene glacial landscapes in Europe
Abstract
Chapter Outline
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Regional investigations
4.3 Conclusion
References
Part II: Climate changes during the Holocene in the Eastern North Atlantic and Europe
Chapter 5. Introduction to the Holocene climate
Abstract
Chapter Outline
5.1 Definition and formal subdivision of the Holocene
5.2 Sources of evidence for Holocene climate change
5.3 Timescales of climate variability
References
Chapter 6. Greenlandian Stage (Early Holocene, 11.7–8.2 ka)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
6.1 Onset of the Holocene
6.2 Early Holocene cold events (Preboreal Oscillation, 10.3, 9.3 and 8.2 ka events)
Appendix 6.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 7. Northgrippian Stage (Middle Holocene, 8.2–4.2 ka)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
7.1 Holocene Thermal Maximum
7.2 Middle Holocene rapid climate changes
7.3 Middle Holocene transition
Appendix 7.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 8. Meghalayan Stage (Late Holocene, 4.2 ka–present)
Abstract
Chapter Outline
8.1 General characteristics of the Meghalayan Stage
8.2 Onset of the Meghalayan Stage—the 4.2 ka event
8.3 Meghalayan climate fluctuations in Europe
8.4 Recent climate change (from 1850 CE to present)
8.5 Summary
References
Chapter 9. Synthesis and perspectives: drivers, rhythms, and spatial patterns of Holocene climate change
Abstract
Chapter Outline
9.1 Drivers of Holocene climate change
9.2 Rhythms and tempo of Holocene climate change
9.3 Patterns of spatial variability
9.4 Perspectives for European glacial landscapes
References
Part III: The European glacial landforms during the Holocene
Chapter 10. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Russian Arctic and the Urals
Abstract
Chapter Outline
10.1 Location and geographic settings of the glaciers in the Russian Arctic
10.2 The Urals
10.3 Novaya Zemlya
10.4 Palaeoclimatic evolution of Novaya Zemlya during the Holocene
10.5 Glacial Landscapes of Novaya Zemlya from the Early Holocene 11.7–8.2 ka
10.6 Glacial Landscapes of Novaya Zemlya from the Mid-Holocene 8.2–4.2 ka
10.7 Glacial Landscapes of Novaya Zemlya from the Late Holocene (4.2 ka–now)
10.8 The current state of glaciers of Novaya Zemlya and impact of present global warming: future perspectives
10.9 Franz Josef Land
10.10 Palaeoclimatic evolution of Franz Josef Land during the Holocene
10.11 Glacial landscapes of Franz Josef Land from the Early Holocene 11.7–8.2 ka
10.12 Glacial landscapes of Franz Josef Land from the Mid-Holocene 8.2–4.2 ka
10.13 Glacial landscapes of Franz Josef Land from the Late Holocene 4.2 ka–now
10.14 The current state of glaciers of Franz Josef Land and impact of global warming: future perspectives
10.15 Conclusions
Acknowledgement
Appendix 10.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 11. Holocene glacial landscapes of Svalbard
Abstract
Chapter Outline
11.1 Location, geographic setting, contemporary climate and glaciers
11.2 Holocene climate evolution of Svalbard
11.3 Glacial Landscapes from the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 ka)
11.4 Glacial Landscapes from the Middle Holocene (8.2 to 4.2 ka)
11.5 Glacial Landscapes from the Late Holocene (4.2 ka to present)
11.6 State of glaciers and impact of global warming
11.7 Holocene evolution of Bolterdalen, central Spitsbergen
11.8 Conclusions
Appendix 11.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 12. Holocene glacial history and landforms of Iceland
Abstract
Chapter Outline
12.1 Location and nature of Icelandic glaciers
12.2 Climate and sea level evolution
12.3 Preboreal readvances and Early Holocene deglaciation (11.7–8.2 ka)
12.4 Middle Holocene (8.2–4.2 ka): Glacial minimum to the onset of the Neoglaciation
12.5 Late Holocene (4.2 ka to present)
12.6 Summary
Appendix 12.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 13. Early Holocene glacial landscapes and final-stage deglaciation of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet
Abstract
Chapter Outline
13.1 Introduction and geographic setting
13.2 Climatic evolution of the region during the Early Holocene
13.3 Landscapes of Fennoscandia
13.4 The Fennoscandian Shield
13.5 The Baltic Sea
13.6 The Norwegian coastal mountains and fjord landscape
13.7 The Scandinavian mountains
13.8 Conclusions and outlook
Appendix 13.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 14. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Scandinavian Peninsula
Abstract
Chapter Outline
14.1 Location of glaciers in Scandinavia
14.2 Climatic evolution of the Scandinavian Peninsula during the Holocene
14.3 Scandinavian glacial landscapes during the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 ka)
14.4 Scandinavian glacial landscapes during the Middle Holocene (8.2–4.2 ka)
14.5 Scandinavian glacial landscapes during the Late Holocene (4.2 ka to present)
14.6 Holocene glacier variations and climate
14.7 Current trends and likely future status of Scandinavian glaciers
14.8 Case study: Holocene glacier evolution of the Smørstabbtindan massif, central Jotunheimen, southern Norway
Acknowledgements
Appendix 14.A Supporting information
References
Further reading
Chapter 15. Holocene glacial and periglacial landscapes of Britain and Ireland
Abstract
Chapter Outline
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Location and geographic settings of the region
15.3 Climatic evolution of the region during the Holocene
15.4 Glacial landscapes from the Early Holocene
15.5 Glacial landscapes from the Middle Holocene
15.6 Glacial landscapes from the Late Holocene
15.7 The current state of late-lying snowpatches and impact of present global warming: future perspectives
15.8 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix 15.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 16. Glacial landscape evolution during the Holocene in Northern Central Europe
Abstract
Chapter Outline
16.1 Location and landscape of the region
16.2 Climatic evolution of the region during the Holocene
16.3 Evolution of Pleistocene landforms during the Early Holocene (Greenlandian, 11.7–8.2 ka)
16.4 Evolution of Pleistocene landforms during the Middle Holocene (Northgrippian, 8.2–4.2 ka)
16.5 Evolution of Pleistocene landforms during the Late Holocene (Meghalayan, 4.2 ka to present)
16.6 Impact of present global warming: future perspectives
16.7 Geodiversity–a protection of geotopes
16.8 Evolution of a representative study case
16.9 Conclusion
Appendix 16.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 17. Glacial landscape evolution during the Holocene in the Tatra Mountains
Abstract
Chapter Outline
17.1 Location of the Tatra Mountains glaciated during the Holocene
17.2 Climatic evolution of the Tatra Mountains during the Holocene
17.3 Tatra glacial landscape evolution during the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 ka)
17.4 Tatra glacial landscape evolution during the Middle Holocene (8.2–4.3 ka)
17.5 Tatra glacial landscape evolution during the Late Holocene (4.3 ka to present)
17.6 Current state of Tatra Mountains firn-ice patches, permafrost and active nival processes and landforms
17.7 Natural heritage of the landscape and state of preservation
17.8 Conclusions
Appendix 17.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 18. Glacial landscape evolution during the Holocene in the Romanian Carpathians
Abstract
Chapter Outline
18.1 Location of the Romanian Carpathians mountains glaciated during the Holocene
18.2 Climatic evolution of the Romanian Carpathians during the Holocene
18.3 Romanian Carpathians glacial landscapes during the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 ka)
18.4 Romanian Carpathians glacial landscapes during the Middle Holocene (8.2–4.2 ka) and Late Holocene (4.2–present)
18.5 Current state of permafrost and active periglacial processes and landforms
18.6 Natural heritage of the landscape and state of preservation
18.7 Conclusion
Appendix 18.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 19. Holocene glacier variations in the Northern Caucasus, Russia
Abstract
Chapter Outline
19.1 Location and Geographic settings of the region
19.2 Climatic evolution of the region during the Holocene
19.3 Glacial landscapes from the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 cal ka BP)
19.4 Glacial landscapes from the Mid-Holocene (8.2–4.2 cal ka BP)
19.5 Glacial Landscapes from the Late Holocene (4.2 cal ka BP to present)
19.6 The current state of glaciers and impact of present global warming: future perspectives
19.7 Conclusions
Appendix 19.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 20. Holocene glacier variations in the Alps
Abstract
Chapter Outline
20.1 Alpine massifs glacierised during the Holocene
20.2 Climatic evolution in the Alps during the Holocene
20.3 Diverse Early Holocene glacial landscapes in the Alps—from Lateglacial-like ice extents to smaller-than-present glaciers (11.7–8.2 ka)
20.4 Middle Holocene glacial landscapes in the Alps—pursuing the long lasting interval of marked glacier retreat (8.2–4.2 ka)
20.5 Late Holocene glacial landscapes in the Alps—the renewal of glacier activity during the Neoglacial (4.2 ka to CE 1860)
20.6 Rock glacier activity through the Holocene in the Alps
20.7 Evolution of a representative case study: the Rutor Glacier (Graian Alps, Italy)
20.8 The geomorphic legacy of Holocene glaciation
20.9 Conclusions
Appendix 20.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 21. The Pyrenees: glacial landforms from the Holocene
Abstract
Chapter Outline
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Holocene climatic evolution in the Pyrenees
21.3 Pyrenean glaciers during the Early and Middle Holocene (11.7 to 4.3 ka)
21.4 Glacier readvance during the Late Holocene (4.3 ka) and preceding millennia (6–5 ka)
21.5 Pyrenean glaciers during the Little Ice Age
21.6 Pyrenean glaciers in the context of 21st century global warming
21.7 Purveyors of water resources and geoheritage: glaciers and society
21.8 Conclusions
Appendix 21.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 22. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Iberian Mountains
Abstract
Chapter Outline
22.1 Location of the Iberian mountains glaciated during the Holocene
22.2 Climatic evolution of the Iberian Mountains during the Holocene
22.3 Iberian glacial landscapes during the Early Holocene (11.7–8.2 ka)
22.4 Iberian glacial landscapes from Middle Holocene (8.2–4.2 ka)
22.5 Iberian glacial landscapes from Late Holocene (4.2 to present)
22.6 Current state of Iberian glaciers, permafrost and active nival processes and landforms
22.7 Evolution of a representative study case: the ‘Corrales’ of Sierra Nevada
22.8 Natural heritage of the landscape and state of preservation
22.9 Conclusions
Appendix 22.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 23. Holocene glacial landscape of the Apennine Mountains
Abstract
Chapter Outline
23.1 Introduction
23.2 The environment of the Apennines mountains during the Holocene
23.3 Holocene environmental changes and geomorphological responses in the Apennines
23.4 The Calderone glacier: the southernmost glacier of Italy (and of Europe)
23.5 Final remarks
Acknowledgments
Appendix 23.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 24. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Abstract
Chapter Outline
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Glacial Landscapes from the Early Holocene (Greenlandian, 11.7–8.2 ka)
24.3 Glacial Landscapes from the Middle Holocene (Northgrippian, 8.2 to 4.2 ka)
24.4 Glacial Landscapes from the Late Holocene (Meghalayan, 4.2 ka to present)
24.5 The current state of glaciers and impact of present global warming: future perspectives
24.6 Evolution of a representative study case
24.7 Evolution of Pleistocene landforms during the Holocene
24.8 Holocene rock glaciers
24.9 Relations between Holocene snow cover and humans: risks and water resources
Acknowledgements
Appendix 24.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 25. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Balkans
Abstract
Chapter Outline
25.1 Location and geographic settings of the region
25.2 Climatic evolution of the region during the Holocene
25.3 Glacial landscapes from the Early Holocene
25.4 Glacial landscapes from the Middle Holocene
25.5 Glacial landscapes from the Late Holocene
25.6 The current state of glaciers in the Balkans
25.7 The impact of global warming: future perspectives
25.8 Evolution of a representative case study
Appendix 25.A Supporting information
References
Chapter 26. Holocene glacial landscapes of the Anatolian Peninsula
Abstract
Chapter Outline
26.1 Location and geographic setting of Anatolia
26.2 Climatic evolution of Anatolia during the Holocene
26.3 Anatolian glacial landscapes from the Early and Middle Holocene
26.4 Anatolian glacial landscapes from the Late Holocene
26.5 The current state of glaciers and impact of present global warming: future perspectives
Appendix 26.A Supporting information
References
Part IV: Synthesis of the European Landscapes during the Holocene
Chapter 27. The European glacial landscapes from the Early Holocene
Abstract
Chapter Outline
27.1 The Early Holocene–Pleistocene transition: the climatic context
27.2 The evolution of the European Glaciers during the Early Holocene
27.3 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the context of the North Hemisphere during Early Holocene
27.4 The evolution of the European Glaciers in contrast to the Southern Hemisphere in the Early Holocene
27.5 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the Early Holocene and comparisons with the tropics
27.6 Conclusions and main challenges
References
Chapter 28. The European glacial landscapes from the Middle Holocene
Abstract
Chapter Outline
28.1 The evolution of the European Glaciers during the Middle Holocene
28.2 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the context of the Northern Hemisphere
28.3 The evolution of the European Glaciers in contrast to the Southern Hemisphere in the Middle Holocene
28.4 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the Middle Holocene and comparisons with the tropics
28.5 Conclusions and main challenges
References
Chapter 29. The European glacial landscapes from the Late Holocene
Abstract
Chapter Outline
29.1 The evolution of the European Glaciers during the Late Holocene
29.2 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the context of the Northern Hemisphere
29.3 The evolution of the European Glaciers in contrast to the Southern Hemisphere
29.4 The evolution of the European Glaciers in the Late Holocene and the tropics
29.5 Conclusions and main challenges
References
Chapter 30. Recent evolution and perspectives of European glacial landscapes
Abstract
Chapter Outline
30.1 Recent evolution of climate and its relationship with present glacier retreat
30.2 Recent evolution of the European glaciers
30.3 Recent evolution of the European glaciers in a global context
30.4 Conclusions
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. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Quaternary Science, then a PhD in Geography, 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 project examining the glacial history of Montenegro at the University of Manchester. He has since worked on glaciation across the Mediterranean mountains and in the British Isles. In this research he has utilised U-series dating and cosmogenic nuclides to date glacial landforms. He has also published on global glaciations and stratigraphy in Quaternary science and in 2011 Philip also co-edited, with Jürgen Ehlers and Philip Gibbard, the highly successful Elsevier volume Quaternary Glaciation: Extent and Chronology – A Closer Look.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Physical Geography, University of Manchester, UK

Vincent Jomelli

Dr. Vincent Jomelli is a director of research at Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and a geomorphologist who works at CEREGE at the University of Aix-Marseille France. He has worked on natural hazards and palaeoglacial studies conducted in different alpine regions in Europe, Asia and in the southern hemisphere. In this research he has utilised cosmogenic nuclides to date glacial landforms and he has published on global glacier variations during the Holocene published in Quaternary science reviews. He has written several papers on Holocene glacier fluctuations in the Pyrenees, the French Alps, the tropical Andes, Greenland, Caucasus, and Kerguelen. He has also been involved in scientific papers on contemporary glaciology and mass balance of glaciers in Nepal, tropical Andes, Kerguelen and Antarctica.

Affiliations and expertise

Director of Research, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France

Luis M. Tanarro

Dr. Luis M. Tanarro is Professor of Physical Geography at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). His PhD was on the application of computer-aided design (CAD) and geographic information system (GIS) to high detailed geomorphological mapping. His main research is focused on the monitoring geomorphological processes in mountains and on the development and design of geomorphological cartography with CAD and SIG techniques. He is Principal investigator of over 16 research projects, in which he has responsibility for the geo-visualisation of the cartography in accordance with the application of the latest methodologies and technologies. He has published nearly 100 research papers on the dynamics of deglaciation in mountains, on monitoring of geomorphological processes and its impact on geodiversity. In addition to the Iberian mountains, he has conducted research in Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and Iceland, which has given her a broad understanding of land surface processes in cold climate environments.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Physical Geography, University of Madrid, Spain