Changes in shore-level and ice-front position in Late Weichsel and Holocene, southern Norway

Abstract

Late Weichselian and Early Holocene shore-level data from southern Norway have been collected and critically evaluated. The emphasis is placed on southwestern Norway. Observations of ice-front deposits and -oscillations have been compiled. A Younger Dryas transgression, presumably as a result of the Younger Dryas glacial advance, has been recorded along the entire west coast of Norway. A shifting isobase direction with time may have occurred. The Younger Dryas uplift gradient is changing along the west coast, but is higher than along the Oslofjord, even though the isostatic rebound in the west is only 1/8 to 1/3 of that in the Oslofjord area. This, along with ice-front data, imply a Late Weichselian ice divide close to the water divide in South Norway, and a zone of maximum isostatic rebound (since Younger Dryas) in the same area.