In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled extraordinary landforms beneath the North Sea, revealing the presence of a colossal ice sheet during the last ice age. Christine Batchelor, a senior lecturer in physical geography at Newcastle University, co-authored this study, which was published in the journal Science Advances on December 13, 2024. Utilizing high-resolution sound wave data, Batchelor and her team discovered these landforms, shedding light on the extensive ice coverage that once spanned present-day Norway and stretched towards the British Isles.
The study focuses on a period known as the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT), which occurred between 1.3 million and 700,000 years ago. During this era, a significant shift in climate led to the formation of a vast ice sheet that covered the North Sea. This finding is particularly noteworthy as it provides conclusive evidence of a single grounded ice sheet that created unique landforms such as crevasse-squeeze ridges.
"The main reason that we're interested in this broad time period around 1 million years ago is because it's a time when we have a shift in climate going on," – Batchelor
Batchelor's expertise in physical geography and her academic background contribute significantly to the study’s findings. Holding a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southampton and a master’s degree in science communication from Imperial College London, Batchelor has applied her knowledge to unravel these geological mysteries. Her passion for exploration extends beyond academia as she enjoys playing tennis, bread-making, and discovering hidden gems in second-hand shops.
"We only see conclusive evidence for one big ice advance during that time period," – Batchelor
The discovery of these landforms not only provides insights into past climatic conditions but also aids in understanding present-day climate dynamics. The ice age itself began approximately 2.6 million years ago and concluded around 11,700 years ago. By analyzing the remnants left behind by the ice sheet, scientists can gain a better understanding of how ice sheets have influenced global climate systems.
"Being able to understand and to model exactly where those ice sheets were helps us to understand those feedbacks which are still going on, albeit in a different form, today," – Batchelor
The research highlights the intricate relationship between advancing ice sheets and geological formations. As the ice advanced, it sculpted streamlined, elongated features in the sediment, providing valuable clues about the direction of ice flow.
"When the ice is advancing, it produces streamlined, elongated features that are sculpting the sediment in the direction of ice flow," – Batchelor
