C.F. Larsen, EPSL, 237, Rapid viscoelastic uplift in southeast Alaska caused by post-Little Ice Age glacial retreat

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, (2005), Vol. 237, Nos. 3-4, 548-560; doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.06.032

Rapid viscoelastic uplift in southeast Alaska caused by post-Little Ice Age glacial retreat

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Christopher F. Larsen^, , Roman J. Motyka, Jeffrey T. Freymueller, Keith A. Echelmeyer and Erik R. Ivins¹ (Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775, U.S.A.)

(Received 16 March 2005,

revised 17 June 2005,

accepted 27 June 2005.

Editor: S. King.

Available online 8 August 2005.)

Abstract

Our observations show that extreme uplift in southeast Alaska began about 1770 AD, with relative sea level (RSL) change to 5.7 m and current uplift rates to 32 mm/yr. This region experienced widespread glacial melting following the Little Ice Age (LIA), with the collapse of the Glacier Bay Icefield alone equivalent to 8 mm of global sea level rise. Geodynamic modelling links the uplift to post-LIA isostatic rebound, with the extreme uplift signal and a priori knowledge of ice load changes requiring the presence of a low viscosity asthenosphere (3.7 × 10¹⁸ Pa s). These crustal deformations are triggered by climate change through glacier wastage.

Keywords: glacier rebound, glacial isostatic adjustment, Glacier Bay Alaska, glacial wastage, Little Ice Age, sea level variations, mantle viscosity

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Link to abstract: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V61-4GTVYTK-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3315b6d143f6f9797731542328d5a418