NSCPHD1102 Sea level, ice sheets and Earth response during the last glacial cycle

The course focuses on the complex interplay between melting/build-up of ice sheets, the resulting isostatic compensation by mantle processes, and sea level change.

Results from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) modeling and observational evidence for land movement and sea level change will be discussed.
Several case stories will be presented, and the theoretical background for the used methods will be briefly introduced.

A field work day is dedicated to present some geophysical and geological methods for reconstruction of past relative sea level changes, which are influenced by both absolute sea level change and vertical land movement.

8 April (afternoon only): Theoretical background and observational evidence

9 April: Case study 1:  the far field sea level response and analysis.  Case study 2:  the near field sea level response and analysis with a focus on Scandinavia.

10 April: Field work, southern Sjælland (1.5 hrs. drive south of Copenhagen): Interpretation of past relative sea level from ground-penetrating (GPR) radar imaging, topographic measurements, and sedimentological description of fossil beach ridges.

11 April: The near field sea level response and analysis with a focus on the Mediterranean. Some special problems, including sea level during earlier glacial cycles and integration of results with focus on the Red Sea.