Evaluating the Schmidt hammer as a method for distinguishing the relative age of late Holocene moraines : Svellnosbreen, Jotunheimen, Norway

Glacial and paraglacial environments

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The AA. used the Schmidt hammer to assess the relative exposure ages of previously dated Little Ice Age moraines deposited by Svellnosbreen glacier in Jotunheimen southern Norway. Schmidt hammer measurements were taken on moraine surfaces which have been deglaciated for 79–259 years since the Little Ice Age, to reconstruct and date previous snout positions. Dating used a typical linear Little Ice Age age-calibration curve and the ages of unknown surfaces were predicted based on Schmidt hammer measurements with the support of lichenometric dates. Calibrated ages exhibited potential dating errors of 63-103 years years, which were estimated using 95% confidence intervals associated with two control points based on moraines of known ages. Schmidt hammer R-value variability was identified and sources of significant errors were attributed to variations in boulder surface texture and the incorporation of weathered boulders into moraines through push mechanisms and paraglacial reworking.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Geografiska annaler. Series A. Physical geography, issn : 0435-3676, 2014, vol. 96, n°. 3, p. 393-402, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 33 ref.

Date :
2014

Editeur :
Pays édition : Suede, Stockholm, Svenska sällskapet för antropologi och geografi