The evolution of Palaeolake Flixton and the environmental context of Star Carr, NE. Yorkshire: stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Last Glacial-Interglacial Transition (LGIT) lacustrine sequences

The eastern England terrestrial glacial sequences are critical to the spatial and temporal reconstruction of the last British−Irish Ice sheet (BIIS). Understanding glacial behaviour in the area of the Humber Gap is key as its blockage by ice created extensive proglacial lakes. This paper maps the glacial geomorphology of the Humber Gap region to establish for the first time the extent and thickness of the North Sea Lobe (NSL) of the BIIS. Findings establish the westerly maximal limit of the NSL. Ten new luminescence ages from across the region show the initial Skipsea Till advance to the maximal limits occurred regionally at c. 21.6 ka (Stage 1) and retreated off‐shore c. 18 ka (Stage 2). Punctuated retreat is evident in the south of the region whilst to the immediate north retreat was initially rapid before a series of near synchronous ice advances (including the Withernsea Till advance) occurred at c. 16.8 ka (Stage 3). Full withdrawal of BIIS ice occurred prior to c. 15 ka (Stage 4). Geomorphic mapping and stratigraphy confirms the existence of a proto Lake Humber prior to Stage 1, which persisted to Stage 3 expanding eastward as the NSL ice retreated. It appears that proglacial lakes formed wherever the NSL encountered low topography and reverse gradients during both phases of both advance and retreat. These lakes may in part help explain the dynamism of parts of the NSL, as they initiated ice draw down and associated streaming/surging. The above record of ice‐dammed lakes provides an analogue for now off‐shore parts of the BIIS where it advanced as a number of asynchronous lowland lobes.

show abstract

“…() with the vestige (Lake Flixton) based on Palmer et al . (). Ages are from the sources outlined in Table .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Lake Humber margins in Stages 1 and 2 are schematic and in Stage 3 are based on those of Fairburn & Bateman (2016). Lake Pickering extent is based on Clark et al (2004) and Evans et al (2017) with the vestige (Lake Flixton) based on Palmer et al (2015). Ages are from the sources outlined in Table 2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The timing and consequences of the blockage of the Humber Gap by the last British−Irish Ice Sheet

Bateman

Evans

Roberts

et al. 2017

Boreas

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Besides being supported by the pollen and tephro-stratigraphy this model is also consistent with the assumed relationship between marl accumulation and climate. It is widely suggested that marl accumulation indicates warm climates as (i) the precipitation of carbonate in freshwater bodies is biologically mediated and will be promoted under warmer climates (Verrechia, 2007;Palmer et al, 2015;Whittington et al, 2015), and (ii) these conditions promote a relatively dense vegetation cover that reduces landscape erosion, decreasing the amount of allogenic material that is supplied to the basin and allowing the accumulation of relatively pure marl (Palmer et al, 2015;Whittington et al, 2015). It is important to note that while most lacustrine carbonate records of the LGIT in Britain show evidence for reduced marl production during the Lateglacial Stadial in many cases carbonate precipitation continues across this cold interlude (Marshall et al, 2002;van Asch et al, 2012).…”

Section: Stratigraphy Of the Tirinie Sequencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such a model a climatic amelioration, as identified by an increase in d 18 O values, would produce an expansion of trees and shrubs within the landscape, a stabilization of the catchment and, consequently, a reduction in the supply of allogenic material to the basin. The increase in temperature and its influence on productivity within the lake basin, coupled with a reduction in allogenic inputs, would result in conditions favourable for marl accumulation (Candy et al, 2015;Palmer et al, 2015). Conversely, a climatic deterioration, as identified by a decrease in d 18 O values, would produce a contraction of trees and shrubs within the landscape, a reduction in the stability of the catchment and, consequently, an increase in the supply of allogenic material to the basin (Candy et al, 2015;Palmer et al, 2015).…”

Section: Inter-proxy Comparison and Sensitivity Of Tirinie To Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen isotopic evidence for high‐magnitude, abrupt climatic events during the Lateglacial Interstadial in north‐west Europe: analysis of a lacustrine sequence from the site of Tirinie, Scottish Highlands

Candy¹,

Abrook²,

Elliot³

et al. 2016

J Quaternary Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Last Glacial to Interglacial Transition (LGIT) is a period of climatic instability. δ18O records are ideal for investigating the LGIT as this proxy responds rapidly to even minor climatic oscillations. Lacustrine carbonates offer the opportunity to investigate spatial diversity in patterns of climatic change during the LGIT but this requires the generation of δ18O records from a range of latitudinal and longitudinal settings. This study presents a coupled pollen and stable isotopic study of lacustrine carbonates spanning the Windermere Interstadial (the British equivalent of Greenland Interstadial 1, the Lateglacial Interstadial) from the site of Tirinie in the Scottish Highlands, a region where δ18O records are absent. The Interstadial is characterized by three δ18O peaks, warm intervals, and two δ18O declines, cold episodes, the timing of which is constrained by the presence of crypto‐tephra. The landscape at Tirinie was highly responsive to these climatic oscillations as the sedimentary and pollen record respond to each isotopic shift. The paper concludes by highlighting that, across the British Isles, lacustrine δ18O records of the Interstadial have a consistent stratigraphy/structure, although the magnitude of the isotopic shifts is regionally variable. Potential causes of this variability are discussed.

show abstract

“…It is located at the edge of palaeolake Flixton, which provides the environment and context for the human occupance. Papers by Palmer et al (2015) and Candy et al (2015) respectively examine the sediments and oxygen and carbon isotopic record of the site to determine the environmental and climatic history, to the level of seasonality, from Lateglacial time through to the Holocene and the time of human occupance. Brew et al (2015), as a result of detailed work in the Fenland provide a new and illuminating model of coastal evolution and sea-level change in that part of eastern England.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association (PGA) Volume 126, Issue 1

Rose

2015

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The evolution of Palaeolake Flixton and the environmental context of Star Carr, NE. Yorkshire: stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Last Glacial-Interglacial Transition (LGIT) lacustrine sequences

Cited by 22 publications

References 24 publications

The timing and consequences of the blockage of the Humber Gap by the last British−Irish Ice Sheet

The timing and consequences of the blockage of the Humber Gap by the last British−Irish Ice Sheet

Oxygen isotopic evidence for high‐magnitude, abrupt climatic events during the Lateglacial Interstadial in north‐west Europe: analysis of a lacustrine sequence from the site of Tirinie, Scottish Highlands

Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association (PGA) Volume 126, Issue 1

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About