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Combined high-resolution seismostratigraphic and morphobathymetric analysis reveals glacial history of the northwestern Chukchi margin, Arctic Ocean
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  • Sookwan Kim,
  • Leonid Polyak,
  • Young Jin Joe,
  • Frank Niessen,
  • Hyoung Jun Kim,
  • Yeonjin Choi,
  • Seung-Goo Kang,
  • Jong Kuk Hong,
  • Seung-Il Nam,
  • Young Keun Jin
Sookwan Kim
Korea Polar Research Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Leonid Polyak
Ohio State University
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Young Jin Joe
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Frank Niessen
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
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Hyoung Jun Kim
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Yeonjin Choi
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Seung-Goo Kang
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Jong Kuk Hong
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Seung-Il Nam
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Young Keun Jin
Korea Polar Research Institute
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Abstract

High-resolution seafloor mapping provides insights into the dynamics of past ice-sheets/ice-shelves on high-latitude continental margins. Geological/geophysical studies in the Arctic Ocean suggest widespread Pleistocene ice grounding on the Chukchi–East Siberian continental margin. However, flow directions, timing, and behavior of these ice masses are not yet clear due to insufficient data. We present a combined seismostratigraphic and morphobathymetric analysis of the Chukchi Rise off the northwestern Chukchi margin using the densely acquired sub-bottom profiler (SBP) and multibeam echosounder (MBES) data. Comparison with deeper airgun seismic records shows that the SBP data cover most of the glaciogenic stratigraphy possibly spanning ca. 0.5–1 Ma. Based on the stratigraphic distribution and geometry of acoustically transparent glaciogenic diamictons, the lateral and vertical extent of southern-sourced grounded ice became smaller over time. The older deposits are abundant as debris lobes on the slope contributing to a large trough mouth fan, whereas younger till wedges are found at shallower depths. MBES data show two sets of mega-scale lineations indicating at least two fast ice-streaming events of different ages. Contour-parallel recessional morainic ridges mark a stepwise retreat of the grounded ice margin, likely controlled by rising sea levels during deglaciation(s). The different inferred directions of ice advances and retreats reflect complex geomorphic settings on the borderland. The overall picture shows that the Chukchi Rise was an area of intense interaction(s) of different ice-sheets/ice-shelves. In addition to glaciogenic deposits, we identify a number of related or preceding seabed features including mounds, gullies/channels, and sediment waves.
Apr 2021Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface volume 126 issue 4. 10.1029/2020JF006030