Holocene environmental change of Svalbard

We will analyse the Holocene environmental history in Kongsfjorden since deglaciation. At least three Ny-Ålesund flagships have identified the need for long-term climate records. Up to date no integrated temperature, precipitation or glacial variability r ecord exists for the entire Holocene for Svalbard. We aim to reconstruct Holocene temperatures and precipitation by using a handful of proxies from lake sediment cores. For this aim Quaternary geomorphological maps for selected areas in Kongsfjorden will be produced as a framework for past environmental landscape development. Maps will include the catchments of the two lakes Irgentjørna and Sarsvatnet that will be cored in the project, glacial moraines since deglaciation and mass movements.