Landscape evolution of Lundy Island: challenging the proposed MIS 3 glaciation of SW Britain

Carr, Simon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4487-3551 , Hiemstra, John F. and Owen, Geraint (2017) Landscape evolution of Lundy Island: challenging the proposed MIS 3 glaciation of SW Britain. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 128 (5-6). 722 - 741.

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Abstract

Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel of south-west Britain, holds a pivotal place in understanding the extent and timing of Quaternary glaciations in southern Britain, in particular the timing, extent and dynamics of the Irish Sea Ice Stream during the Devensian glaciation. New geomorphological observations and revised interpretations of geomorphological and cosmogenic exposure data lead to the conclusion that Lundy was not covered by ice in the last (Devensian) glaciation. Geomorphological features are related to surface lowering by means of granite weathering under mainly periglacial and cool-temperate conditions. Previously reported cosmogenic ages are re-interpreted to reflect a dynamic equilibrium of cosmogenic nuclide production and surface lowering during a prolonged period of subaerial granite weathering. This re-evaluation of the geomorphology of Lundy Island challenges recently proposed interpretations of early glacial cover of Lundy (MIS 4-3) and for cold-based ice cover at the Last Glacial Maximum (MIS 2), and instead supports existing regional ice sheet reconstructions. This study demonstrates that a robust, coherent geomorphological framework is fundamentally important to support the validity of detailed geochronological and stratigraphic investigations.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Proceedings of the Geologists' Association
Publisher:	Elsevier for Geologists' Association
ISSN:	0016-7878
Departments:	Academic Departments > Science, Natural Resources & Outdoor Studies (SNROS) > STEM
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	15 Mar 2019 15:36
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 18:31
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/4557

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