Harald Svensson

Moraine Systems in the Faroe Islands: Glaciological and Climatological Implications

Abstract Danish Journal of Geography 96: 21–31, 1996. Geomorphological investigations on the Faroe Islands have shown the existence of small, but distinct moraine systems, indicating the former occurrence of glaciers. At least two glacial events may be distinguished: an older characterised by valley glaciers 2–4 km long, and a younger characterised by small cirque glaciers. Dating (14C) indicates that the youngest moraines are older than 5,200 yr. BP. During the two glacial events the largest glaciers were located in cirques facing NE, while the smallest were located in cirques facing SW. During the two glacial events equilibrium line altitude was at 200–350 m a.s.l. and 300–450 m a.s.l., respectively. Glaciers of intermediate size were found in cirques facing NW and SE. This pattern is interpreted as being caused by strong snow drift from SW and W. The temperature and precipitation values during the glacial events are discussed with reference to measured meteorological conditions at modern glaciers.

Några iakttagelser från palsområden.

Skandina Vien anses ej innehalla nagra storre sammanhangande omroden av standigt frusen mark. Den sodra begransningen av samman-hangande tundra lamnar den eurasiatiska kontinenten innan gransen nar Skandinavien och blir forst ater registrerad pa andra sidan Norska havet vid den ostgronlandska kusten (enligt Black 1954). Begransade omraden av standigt frusen mark upptrader emellertid i nordligaste Skandinavien.

RELICT ICE-WEDGE POLYGONS revealed on aerial photographs from Kaltenkirchen, northern Germany

Svensson, Harald, 1976; Relict ice-wedge polygons revealed on aerial photographs from Kaltenkirchen, northern Germany. Geografisk Tidsskrift 75: 8–12. Kobenhavn, juni 1, 1976. On aerial photographs polygonal patterns are detected in cultivated fields due to vegetational contrasts. In a section through the ground the structure and composition of the material were studied. The outline of the ice-wedge cast is very faint, hut the existing structure and soil qualities are sufficient to make the polygonal network show on the ground surface. The season of the year and the external conditions at the time of photographing are of great importance for a distinct reproduction of the pattern in the aerial photograph.

Recent frost fissuring in a coastal area of southwestern Sweden

Violent shaking of the ground accompanied by cracking sounds are reported (1966 and 1987) from a coastal area of southern Sweden. Analysis of fissure pattern and records from two nearby meteorological stations contradict the statements by newspapers that the origin was earthquakes and give clear evidences of the events being the result of an arctic frost phenomenon. The conditions for thermal contraction, low temperature, rapid cooling, ground quality, and their interaction arc discussed from observations made in the area. The recent events of occasional Assuring bring up the fossil traces (ice-wedge casts) of recurrent Assuring in a permafrost environment during cold phases in Late Weichselian time. By studying records and reports from the other Nordic countries it is concluded that the study area is the southernmost know n locality of the phenomenon in Scandinavia, situated far outside the present arctic realm. The idea is advanced of an increased frost Assuring in areas outside the Arctic as a presage ...

Ice-wedge casts in an early deglaciated area of southern Sweden

Svensson, Harald: Ice-wedge casts in an early deglaciated area of Southern Sweden. Geografisk Tidsskrift 87: xx–xx. Copenhagen, June 1987. In a locality in northwestern Scania, an area that was the first part of Sweden to emerge from the Weichselian ice sheet, three types of ice-wedge casts are observed. The wedges are discussed from a morphogenetic, morphostratigraphic and chronological point of view.

The Periglacial form group of Southwestern Denmark

Svensson. Harald: The periglacial form group of southwestern Denmark. Geografisk Tidsskrift 84: 25–34. Copenhagen, January 1984. By means of air-photo interpretation, traces of fossil periglacial forms are identified in transections of Jutland. Significant localities have been selected for checking in the field, and the features are discussed from a morphogenetic and a chronologic point of view. Suggestions for further approaches are given.

From relict polygon patterns in South Scandinavia to active ice wedge polygons in Svalbard: A review of former studies

Scandinavian networks of relict ice wedge polygons are revealed by aerial photographs, (a) on the Swedish west coast and in south-western Jutland, Denmark, as vegetation patterns (crop marks) during dry seasons, and (b) in north-eastern Norway, as a pattern of shallow trenches enhanced by vegetation. The most regularly shaped and equally sized polygons occur in south-western Jutland. This is a result of the long period of periglacial frost activity in the environment outside the Weichselian Ice Sheet. The relict polygon areas on the Swedish west coast and in north-eastern Norway are situated in early deglaciated regions. Using dated shoreline records, it may be concluded that these polygons had their last period of activity in the Younger Dryas cold phase. Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) values are discussed based on Péwés temperature criteria for ice wedge formation. To gain experience of the dynamics of ice wedges, the high-arctic Adventdalen Valley, Svalbard, was chosen as test area. In active wedges in the valley plain, secondary wedges were observed. The climatological significance of the phenomenon is brought forward and discussed in view of the present climatic situation. The secondary wedges are interpreted as indicators of climatic cooling.

Naledi i Grønland. Flyfotografisk inventering af perennerende flod- og kildeis i grønlandske permafrostområder; foreløbige resultater

Humlum, Ole og Svensson, Harald: Naledi i Gronland. Flyfotografisk inventering af perennerende flod- og kildeis i gronlandske permafrostomrader; forelobige resultater. Geografisk Tidsskrift 82: 51–59. Copenhagen, October 15, 1982. Preliminary results on the distribution of naledi/icings/aufeis in Greenland are reported. The investigation is based on examination of aerial photographs from three selected areas. Naledi are aboundant in areas with glaciers of the temperate type, while they are rare in areas with cold glaciers.

Syv Søstre En glacialmorfologisk studie av ett fjällområde vid Nordlandskusten

Den mycket utpraglade topp-nischarkitekturen i Syv Sostremassivet (fig. 1) har inte enbart fangat folkfaritasi och folkpoesi eller fascinerat kustresenarer. Aven istidsforskare ha omfattat detta sagenomspunna berg med sina tankar.