The maximum extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the Weichselian Glaciation at its south-western periphery – a multiphase act?

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Heiko Hüneke, since 4/2024
• Subject Area: Palaeontology ; Physical Geography
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 448438003

Age dating from the largest Weichselian extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) in Germany challenge the traditional view of ice advances, their associated ice marginal positions and their timing. This is particularly true in connection with the recently proven glacial advance into the Berlin area about 34 000 years ago. This advance disconfirms the scientific agreement that has been valid for decades on the temporal position of the local Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) of the SIS in Germany, which was given as 24-20 ka. However, the spatially and quantitatively limited dating available does not allow comprehensive conclusions to be drawn. Thus, the estimated timing for the local LGM is currently in the range of 34-20 ka. Important questions remain unsolved in this context: 1. Did the maximum Weichselian extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet occurs synchronously or significantly separated in time in at least two phases in the study area?2. Was the total section of the maximum Weichselian ice marginal position of the SIS in Germany already formed at the end of MIS 3?3. Can the known MIS 3 ice advances from Denmark and Sweden (Ristinge and Klintholm Advance) be proven in northern Germany and is there a possible genetic link between, for example, the Klintholm advance (around 32 ka) and the pre-LGM advance (around 34 ka) proven in Brandenburg?4. Why are there so far no reliable indications from investigations along the German Baltic Sea coast of an ice advance that reached the German area at the end of MIS 3, when it has been proven that this advance reached the Berlin area?The present project will work on answering these and other questions by means of several focused investigations:(a) Detailed facies analyses and geomorphological investigations using digital elevation models at selected key profiles and ice marginal positions in northern Germany mit focus on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein.(b) Establishment of a robust independent chronology based on luminescence dating.(c) Critical assessment of the results and comparison with other archives in the south-western Baltic Sea area. (d) Reconstruction of ice dynamics around the Last Glacial Maximum at local and supraregional level.With the aim of answering the still open questions, we are taking a decisive step towards a reliable reconstruction of the Weichselian dynamics of one of the largest inland ice masses in the Northern Hemisphere. This allows palaeogeographic maps to be made more precise and thus considerably improves their informative value with regard to the interaction between climate change and ice movements.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria, Poland
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Christopher Lüthgens; Professorin Dr. Malgorzata Pisarska-Jamrozy
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Michael Kenzler, until 3/2024