A possible Younger Dryas record in southeastern Alaska

Journal Article · Thu Dec 06 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.250.4986.1383· OSTI ID:6140444

Engstrom, D R; Hansen, B C.S.; Wright, Jr, H E ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis (United States)

A stratigraphic record of climatic cooling equal in timing and severity to the Younger Dryas event of the North Atlantic region has been obtained form lacustrine sediments in the Glacier Bay area of southeastern Alaska. Fossil pollen show that a late Wisconsin pine parkland was replaced about 10,800 years ago by shrub- and herb-dominated tundra, which lasted until about 9,800 years ago. This vegetational change is matched by geochemical evidence for loss of organic matter from catchment soils and increased mineral erosion. If this event represents the Younger Dryas, then an explanation for a hemisphere-wide propagation of a North Atlantic climatic perturbation must be sought.

• OSTI ID: 6140444
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 250:4986; ISSN SCIEA; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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