A Review of the Late Weichselian and Early Holocene Glacial and Environmental History of Iceland

The pattern and timing of the last deglaciation of Iceland is critically reviewed and discussed. The interpretations of the glacial history are controversial, but new data suggest a relatively late deglaciation, with larger glaciers during the Younger Dryas and Preboreal periods than earlier assumed. Interpretations of the early Holocene environmental development are hampered by a scarcity of data and poor resolution in the biostratigraphical and chronostratigraphical records. The Icelandic evidence on the Late Weichselian/early Holocene climatic and environmental development is examined in the light of data from adjacent North Atlantic areas. It is concluded that the contribution of Icelandic data to the discussion of climatic changes in the North Atlantic region has been limited. The strategy and aims of continued research on Iceland are briefly discussed.