Upper Mantle Dynamics and
Quaternary Climate in Cratonic Areas
International Lithosphere Program (ILP) Regional Co-ordination
Committee CC
1/5
Quaternary paleoenvironments and climate
During
the Pleistocene, quasi-periodic transitions between glacial and
interglacial periods varied with dominant periods closely related to
those present in the Earth-Sun orbit. These Milankovich-paced
variations in the cryosphere have played a key role in shaping the
landscape and driving the geodynamic evolution of cratonic regions such
as northern Eurasia and North America during the Quaternary. Inversion
of deep temperature data in boreholes provides a direct access to
ground temperature histories during glaciation times.
Paleoclimate
and glaciation history of the Pleistocene is a global complex problem
and therefore, it should be solved in a joint program. Due to the
natural laboratories, data and research activities, the two main
glaciated regions, Fennoscandia and Laurentide will be covered first.
The task will be initiated for Fennoscandia and then extended to
Laurentide and other relevant areas, including Greenland and
Antarctica. The emphasis will be on the globally interesting modelling
of the climate forcing, and the effects on lithosphere and
asthenosphere processes