INTERGLACIAL AND GLACIAL CLIMATE OSCILLATIONS IN A MARINE SHELF SEQUENCE FROM NORTHERN DENMARK - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY

A 22.5 m long marine shelf sequence in northern Denmark covers the cli matic shifts from glacial environments, through interglacial and into early glacial conditions. The interglacial was interrupted by two cool intervals. Also the early glacial succession experienced oscillations of the climate, and a period with ameliorated temperature conditions has been separated as an interstadial. These results are based on a mu ltidisciplinary high-resolution study of lithology, foraminifera, ostr acods, macrofauna, diatoms and stable isotopes in a silty clay sequenc e from a borehole at Norre Lyngby (70.5-48.0 m depth). The lithostrati graphy and the variations in depositional environment in the area is s upported by a reflection seismic profile across the core site. The chr onostratigraphy is discussed on the basis of biostratigraphical correl ation and seismostratigraphy as well as Optically Stimulated Luminesce nce (OSL) dating and amino acid measurements. The biostratigraphy and the OSL dates suggest an Eemian age for the interglacial, while amino acid results point to an older age. If the interglacial is confirmed a s Eemian, we believe that the succeeding interstadial period is likely to be correlated with the Brorup Interstadial. The climatic changes i n this eastern part of the North Sea region are closely linked with ch anges in the North Atlantic circulation pattern, and the environmental fluctuations at Norre Lyngby are therefore believed to reflect fluctu ations in the past regional climatic and oceanic system. (C) 1998 Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.