Geomorphological Analysis of Cirques in the Western Islands of Greenland

This study employs Arctic DEM data and GIS tools, ACME 2.0 (Li et al., 2024), and GlaRe (Pellietero et al., 2016), to systematically investigate cirques in the western islands off central Greenland. The primary objective is to reconstruct past Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) variations at the end of the Younger Dryas period and derive insights into palaeoclimate conditions in this region.

By leveraging high-resolution Arctic DEM datasets and advanced GIS methodologies, we analyse cirque morphologies and elevations to reconstruct ELAs, a key indicator of glacial development and climate conditions. The Younger Dryas, a well-documented, abrupt and relatively short climatic event, represents a critical period for understanding past climate dynamics and their impact on glacial landscapes on a timescale relevant to the contemporary human population.

Our approach combines the semi-automated extraction of cirque parameters from the Arctic DEM with GIS-based modelling to reconstruct palaeo-ELA variations. Through spatial and temporal analysis, we aim to discern patterns of glacial response to climatic shifts between 13-9.5ka (Leger et al., 2024), shedding light on the sensitivity of Arctic cirques to rapid environmental changes.

Preliminary results indicate distinct patterns in cirque morphology and ELAs consistent with variations in the ELA during the Younger Dryas. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the regional impact of past climatic events on the Greenlandic glacial landscape. This research enhances our knowledge of the Younger Dryas climate dynamics in the western islands off Greenland, providing valuable insights into the region's palaeoclimate history and contributing to broader discussions on Arctic environmental change.