Limited glaciation and very early deglaciation in central Iceland: Implications for climate change

The sedimentary record of the Halslón dam, 20 km north of the Vatnajökull, allows a better understanding of the glaciation–deglaciation interface for MIS 6/5e and MIS2/1 in Northern Iceland. This sequence evidences the full Eemian deglaciation, the record of a Mid-Eemian cooling glacial complex and an abrupt deglaciation from the Bølling onward. Northern Iceland also experienced limited deglaciation and polar desert during the LGM, in connection with precipitation starvation due to the deflection towards the south of the Irminger current and of the Gulf Stream and the development of sea ice along the northern coastline.