Glacial Chronology and Glacial Geomorphology in the Marginal Zones of the Glaciers, Midtdalsbreen and Nigardsbreen, South Norway

Abstract

Lichenometry was employed to determine the outer limits of glacier marginal zones and to date moraine ridges. Genesis of glacial and glacio-fluvial erosional forms is elucidated. Comparisons of recent and quaternary p-forms indicate that these are glacio-fluvial and that striations within them are glacial. A thin, brown deposit of iron oxides on distally orientated rock surfaces appeared to have been transported in solution and deposited in subglacial cavities. Block orientation analyses in and on fluted moraine showed preferred orientation of blocks parallel to the long axes of the ridges. Striations on surface blocks of fluting were similarly orientated. Moraine ridges under formation at the glacier margin were shown to be caused by freezing of material to the under-surface of the glacier, and transport of this material to the surface by she g The deglaciation was reconstructed.