e-space
Manchester Metropolitan University's Research Repository

    Climate patterns during former periods of mountain glaciation in Britain and Ireland: Inferences from the cirque record

    Barr, ID, Ely, JC, Spagnolo, M, Clark, CD, Evans, IS, Pellicer, XM, Pellitero, R and Rea, BR (2017) Climate patterns during former periods of mountain glaciation in Britain and Ireland: Inferences from the cirque record. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 485. pp. 466-475. ISSN 0031-0182

    [img]
    Preview
    Accepted Version
    Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

    Download (2MB) | Preview

    Abstract

    We map glacial cirques, and analyse spatial variability in their altitude and aspect to derive a long-term, time-integrated, perspective on climate patterns during former periods of mountain glaciation (likely spanning multiple Quaternary glaciations) in Britain and Ireland. The data reveal that, although air temperatures were important, exposure to moisture-bearing air masses was the key factor in regulating sites of former mountain glacier formation, and indicate that during such periods, moisture supply was largely controlled by North Atlantic westerlies, with notable inland precipitation gradients (precipitation decreasing inland), similar to present day. In places, trends in cirque altitude may also reflect regional differences in the extent of cirque deepening, controlled by the dimensions and dynamics of the glaciers that came to occupy them. Specifically, comparatively deep cirques in coastal locations may reflect the former presence of dynamic (fed by moisture from the North Atlantic), but comparatively small, glaciers (largely confined to their cirques). By contrast, decreasing cirque depth further inland, may reflect the former presence of larger and/or less dynamic ice masses, occupying comparatively continental climatic conditions.

    Impact and Reach

    Statistics

    Activity Overview
    6 month trend
    337Downloads
    6 month trend
    321Hits

    Additional statistics for this dataset are available via IRStats2.

    Altmetric

    Repository staff only

    Edit record Edit record