Discovering the Secrets of Ancient Ice Sheets off West Svalbard

Recent research conducted by iC3 postdoc Akash Trivedi and his previous team has unveiled insights into the dynamics of ancient ice sheets located off the western coast of Svalbard, a geologically significant archipelago.

The study focuses on paleo-ice sheet behaviors and glaciomarine environments—regions where glaciers interact with the ocean, resulting in unique sedimentary processes. Specifically, the research targets the interfan area between the Kongsfjorden and Isfjorden Trough Mouth Fans (TMFs), formed by glacial sediment accumulation and also known for seabed methane emission—a potent greenhouse gas.

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Importance of Ice Sheets 

Ice sheets are crucial to Earth's climate system as they influence sea levels and climate patterns. Understanding their dynamics is essential for predicting how rising global temperatures might impact these massive ice forms and the overall environment. 

“As we uncover the dynamics of ancient ice sheets off the coast of Svalbard, we not only reveal the Earth's climatic past but also gain invaluable insights into our planet's future in terms of landscape evolution", explained iC3 researcher Akash Trivedi and lead author of the study. 

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Seismic Imaging Techniques 

The research employed advanced seismic imaging techniques, using seismic waves to create detailed images of geological structures beneath the sea, revealing the history of ice sheet expansions and contractions over millions of years. By integrating high-resolution seismic data with age assessments, the team refined the understanding of ice sheet dynamics in this region. 

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Key Discoveries 

One of the key findings is the identification of four significant glaciation events during the Weichselian period (approximately 120,000 to 24,000 years ago). These events offer insights into the interaction between the Svalbard Ice Sheet and its environment under varying climatic conditions. The researchers dated these glacial advances to specific periods: 120-110 ka, ~90 ka, 61-54 ka, and the last glacial maximum around ~24 ka, showcasing the variability in ice behavior over time. 

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Image: Glaciations identified in previous study and this study (credit: Elsevier; Trivedi et al., 2025)

Glaciomarine Environments 

The study also examined glaciomarine depositional environments, where ice meets the sea, leading to distinct sedimentary processes. Notably, massive debris flows were recorded during periods of glacial advancement, with some flows extending as deep as 600 meters underwater. These findings highlight the complex interplay between the ice sheet and marine conditions, documenting past climatic interactions. 

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Image: patterns of glacial debris filling an erosional surface on the upper slope in relation to the position of the ice sheet at the shelf break (credit: Elsevier; Trivedi et al., 2025)

Climate Implications 

“This research enhances our understanding of how ancient ice sheets responded to climate changes—an urgent concern amid contemporary climate change,” iC3 researcher Trivedi added. By modeling past behaviors, scientists gain insights into potential future scenarios related to sea-level rise and environmental impacts. 

The work by Trivedi and his collaborators marks a critical advancement in paleo-glaciology, offering a clearer picture of ice sheet dynamics over millions of years and informing discussions on our planet's evolving climate narrative.

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The publication “New insights into marine-based paleo-ice sheet dynamics and glaciomarine depositional environment in an interfan area between ice stream-derived Trough Mouth Fans, Off West Svalbard” has been published in Elsevier. 

Akash Trivedi is currently an iC3 postdoc at the Department of Geosciences of the UiT Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. He wrote this paper under his previous institution. Akash Trivedi can be contacted by email. 

If you want to apply for a postdoc in polar marine geology, seismology, geophysical data analysis, and ancient ice sheets, iC3 researchers Andreia Plaza-Faverola, Stefan Bunz and Monica Winsborrow are looking for MSCA postdoctoral fellow. Please read this first.