Holocene deglaciation of the northern Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica

The timing and magnitude of Holocene glacial oscillations in most currently ice-free areas Antarctica remain unknown. This work focuses on the recent deglaciation northern sector Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. ice cap covering ca. 90% island has receded since Last Glacial Maximum exposed 29 km2 land. We reconstruct its history based a dataset 12 36Cl exposure ages obtained through cosmic-ray (CRE) dating moraine boulders, polished surfaces erratic boulders surrounding peninsula's plateau. Results reveal that Peninsula took place during Thermal at 7–6 ka, when warm conditions promoted massive retreat. present arrangement was by 6 ka. Small cirque moraines suggest subsequent occurrence favourable climate for expansion fed intense snow deflation 4.6 1 ka foot pattern resulted from combined shrinkage different masses, rather than long-term retreat Ice Cap. No evidence glacier more cold periods (i.e. Little Age) found. These results fit well with regional deglacial histories inferred lacustrine sediments raised beaches complement existing chronological framework to help better understand geoecological dynamics.