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Marion Island volcanism and glaciation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2010

Kevin Hall ,
Ian Meiklejohn  and
Adam Bumby
Kevin Hall*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Ian Meiklejohn
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Adam Bumby
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island was the site of extensive volcanism as well as glaciation during both the Quaternary and the Holocene. Initial reconstructions suggested a link between deglaciation and the initiation of faulting which, in turn, facilitated lava eruptions during the interglacials. However, our reassessment of the faulting, volcanic rock, and palaeoglacier distribution indicate that these original interpretations were erroneous. Features thought to be due to faulting are shown to be erosional scarps and this significantly changes interpretations of former glacier distribution. Further, the loss of the former ice cap has revealed new information on former glaciers and their flow directions, thereby allowing reconstruction of palaeoglaciers. Our new reconstruction fits with information from invertebrate genetic mapping that suggest some lava outcrops were nunataks and, therefore, refuges during the Last Glacial period. The new findings of glacial landforms in areas previously covered by snow suggest there was a significant ice advance during the Little Ice Age. Although Holocene volcanic rocks overlie and mask much of the glacial evidence, it has been possible to develop a proposed new reconstruction for glaciation, which is presented together with some of the implications.

Keywords

faultingglacier reconstructionglacier-volcanic interactionspalaeoclimateperi-Antarctic islands
Type
Earth Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , April 2011 , pp. 155 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2010

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Footnotes

2

Current address: Geography Programme, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, Canada

4

Current address: Department of Geography, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa

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