Most scientists have concluded previously that the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, remained ice-free during the late Weichselian, between 25,000 and 10,000 yr B.P. We conclude that the glaciation was more extensive. Terraces that were postulated to have been ice-free are covered by a thin, late Weichselian till. Sudden drop in the marine limit and basal radiocarbon dates of raised glaciomarine sediments demonstrates that the glaciers in the main fjords, Isfjorden and Van Mijenfjorden, terminated west (outside) of the fjord mouths. Basal radiocarbon dates from glaciomarine clay above till in cores from the continental shelf west of Spitsbergen yielded ages of about 12,500 yr B.P., from which we conclude that the ice extended to the shelf edge. Based on the extent of amino acid diagenesis in radiocarbon-dated molluscs, the duration of the maximum extension of the late Weichselian glaciation was short, certainly less than 10,000 years. During the ice-free period preceding that glaciation, at least back to 40,000 yr B.P., the glaciers on Svalbard were not significantly larger than at present, as shown by marine deposits close to the glacier snouts. Many radiocarbon dates place deglaciation of the outer coast at about 12,500 yr B.P. At about 10,000 yr B.P., the rest of the archipelago rapidly became ice-free.

No abstract

Traces of former glaciation were studied on Erdmannflya and BohemanRya. Both peninsulas wcrc probably completely covered by glaciers during the Late Weichsclian and the linal dcglaciation took place around 10,000 I4C years BP. Esmarkbreen readvanced shortly after 9.500 BP, probably a local and shortlasting cvcnt. Raised bcachcs occur to about 60 m above sea level. and date back to about 10,000 BP. Initial land cmcrgcnce was rapid. about 3m/100 years. I t seems to have hccn followed by a marine trensgrcssion bctwccn 8,500 and 7,500 BP. which rcsultcd in a large and distinct beach hridgc and miirinc abrasion cliffs about 10-12 m above present sea Icvcl. Myrihs edulis livcd in thc arca bctwccn at lcast Y.000 and 5.000 RP. Five thousand years ago relative sca lcvcl probably stood 3-4 m higher than today. Rclativc sca lcvcl ha\ remained close to present during the last ccnturies. Diffcrcnt positions of gliicicr fronts in this ccntury have also heen mapped.

Traces of former glaciation were studied on Erdmannflya and Bohemanflya. Both peninsulas were probably completely covered by glaciers during the Late Weichselian and the final dcglaciation took place around years BP. Esmarkbreen readvanced shortly after 9,500 BP, probably a local and shortlasting event. Raised beaches occur to about 60 m above sea level, and date back to about 10,000 BP. Initial land emergence was rapid, about 3m/100 years. It seems to have been followed by a marine transgression between 8,500 and 7,500 BP, which resulted in a large and distinct beach bridge and marine abrasion cliffs about 10‐12 m above present sea level. Mytilus edulis lived in the area between at least 9.000 and 5,000 BP. Five thousand years ago relative sea level probably stood 3‐4 m higher than today. Relative sea level has remained close to present during the last centuries. Different positions of glacier fronts in this century have also been mapped.

No abstract