Glacial geology of Western Troms, North Norway.

Abstract

A moraine chronology was established for western Troms. Altogether six main glacial phases were recognised. Several of the phases were radiocarbon dated. Observations were made of the corresponding shore lines, the marine fauna and the snow lines. The maximum extent of the ice sheet. Numerous glacial features on the submarine shelf off the coast of western Troms shows that the shelf was covered by the ice sheet. However, the available information is insufficient to show whether or not small parts of the outermost shelf or of the highest mountain peaks were ice-free during the W\u00CFrm Maximum. The Egga moraines represent the late part of middle W\u00CFrm, possibly including the W\u00CFrm Maximum. They are large submarine ridges on the shelf. Two or three successive ridges exist. The corresponding shore levels were probably 80 m - 110 m below the present. The islands I moraines are the oldest moraines deposited by local glaciers on the outermost islands. Submarine thresholds near Hekkingen could be corresponding end moraines deposited by the continental ice sheet. The Skarpnes moraines are probably of Older Dryas age, or possibly slightly older. They are large moraine ridges near the mouths of the fjords.