In:
The Cryosphere, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 15, No. 2 ( 2021-03-03), p. 1157-1172
Abstract:
Abstract. Mountain glaciers have generally experienced an accelerated retreat over the
last 3 decades as a rapid response to current global warming. However,
the response to previous warm periods in the Holocene is not well-described
for glaciers of the southern Europe mountain ranges, such as the Pyrenees.
The situation during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (900–1300 CE) is
particularly relevant since it is not certain whether the southern European
glaciers just experienced significant ice loss or whether they actually
disappeared. We present here the first chronological study of a glacier
located in the Central Pyrenees (NE Spain), Monte Perdido Glacier (MPG),
carried out by different radiochronological techniques and a comparison with
geochemical proxies from neighbouring palaeoclimate records. The chronological
model evidences that the glacier persisted during the Roman period and the
Medieval Climate Anomaly. The apparent absence of ice in the past
∼ 600 years suggests that any ice accumulated during the
Little Ice Age has since ablated. This interpretation is supported by
measured concentrations of anthropogenic metals, including Zn, Se, Cd, Hg
and Pb, which have concentrations well below those typical of industrial-age ice measured at other glaciers in Europe. This study strengthens the general
understanding that warming of the past few decades has been exceptional for
the past 2 millennia.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1994-0424
DOI:
10.5194/tc-15-1157-2021
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2393169-3
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