Articles | Volume 15, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4655-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4655-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
05 Oct 2021
Research article |
| 05 Oct 2021
| 05 Oct 2021
Did Holocene climate changes drive West Antarctic grounding line retreat and readvance?
Sarah U. Neuhaus
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz,
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Slawek M. Tulaczyk
Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz,
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Nathan D. Stansell
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
Jason J. Coenen
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
Reed P. Scherer
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
Jill A. Mikucki
Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee Knoxville,
Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Ross D. Powell
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
Viewed
Total article views: 5,935 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 19 Nov 2020)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,969 | 1,802 | 164 | 5,935 | 622 | 178 | 217 |
- HTML: 3,969
- PDF: 1,802
- XML: 164
- Total: 5,935
- Supplement: 622
- BibTeX: 178
- EndNote: 217
Total article views: 4,467 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 05 Oct 2021)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,267 | 1,052 | 148 | 4,467 | 322 | 164 | 207 |
- HTML: 3,267
- PDF: 1,052
- XML: 148
- Total: 4,467
- Supplement: 322
- BibTeX: 164
- EndNote: 207
Total article views: 1,468 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 19 Nov 2020)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 702 | 750 | 16 | 1,468 | 300 | 14 | 10 |
- HTML: 702
- PDF: 750
- XML: 16
- Total: 1,468
- Supplement: 300
- BibTeX: 14
- EndNote: 10
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Total article views: 5,935 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 5,725 with geography defined
and 210 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 4,467 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 4,292 with geography defined
and 175 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 1,468 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 1,433 with geography defined
and 35 with unknown origin.
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
Cited
31 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Feedback mechanisms controlling Antarctic glacial-cycle dynamics simulated with a coupled ice sheet–solid Earth model T. Albrecht et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4233-2024
- Mechanism for the subglacial formation of cryogenic brines S. Neuhaus & S. Tulaczyk https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.28
- Ocean cavity regime shift reversed West Antarctic grounding line retreat in the late Holocene D. Lowry et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47369-3
- Review article: Existing and potential evidence for Holocene grounding line retreat and readvance in Antarctica J. Johnson et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1543-2022
- Basement Topography and Sediment Thickness Beneath Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf M. Tankersley et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL097371
- Active and Passive Seismic Surveys over the Grounding Zone of Eastwind Glacier, Antarctica R. Agnew et al. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220250024
- Impact of glacial isostatic adjustment on zones of potential grounding line persistence in the Ross Sea Embayment (Antarctica) since the Last Glacial Maximum S. Kodama et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2935-2025
- High mid-Holocene accumulation rates over West Antarctica inferred from a pervasive ice-penetrating radar reflector J. Bodart et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1497-2023
- Dynamic subglacial meltwater history archived in Antarctic subglacial lake sediments T. Campbell et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/B37731.1
- Antarctic Ice Sheet paleo-constraint database B. Lecavalier et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3573-2023
- Groundwater dynamics beneath a marine ice sheet G. Cairns et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3725-2025
- Regional sea-level highstand triggered Holocene ice sheet thinning across coastal Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica Y. Suganuma et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00599-z
- History of Anvers-Hugo Trough, western Antarctic Peninsula shelf, since the Last Glacial Maximum. Part I: Deglacial history based on new sedimentological and chronological data Z. Roseby et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107590
- Widespread southern elephant seal occupation of the Victoria land coast implies a warmer-than-present Ross Sea in the mid-to-late Holocene B. Hall et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.107991
- Recent sedimentology at the grounding zone of the Kamb Ice stream, West Antarctica and implications for ice shelf extent T. Calkin et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108988
- Mid Holocene rapid thinning and rethickening of the East Antarctic ice sheet suggested by glacial isostatic adjustment J. Okuno et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24176-4
- Geothermal heat flux is the dominant source of uncertainty in englacial-temperature-based dating of ice rise formation A. Montelli & J. Kingslake https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-195-2023
- Global mean sea level likely higher than present during the holocene R. Creel et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54535-0
- A history-matching analysis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet since the Last Interglacial – Part 1: Ice sheet evolution B. Lecavalier & L. Tarasov https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-919-2025
- Trace element, rare earth element and trace carbon compounds in Subglacial Lake Whillans, West Antarctica C. Turetta et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164480
- Laminated sediments as archives of Holocene Antarctic coastal oceanography: evidence from Edisto Inlet, Ross Sea F. Torricella et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.110037
- Return to the Ross Ice Shelf Project (RISP), Site J-9 (1977–1979): perspectives of West Antarctic Ice Sheet history from Miocene and Holocene benthic foraminifera S. Dameron et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-187-2024
- Past interglacial West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse: a critical review of evidence and approaches M. Bentley & E. Wolff https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.110025
- An ensemble of Antarctic deglacial simulations constrained by geological observations M. Pittard et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107800
- Late Holocene stabilization of Conway Ice Ridge A. Hoffman et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3977-2026
- Holocene paleoceanographic variability in Robertson Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica: A marine record of ocean, ice sheet, and climate connectivity O. Truax et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108635
- Synchronous mid-Holocene marine and terrestrial deglaciation in the Ross Sea, Antarctica R. Parker et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65494-5
- Stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the pre-industrial Holocene R. Jones et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00309-5
- A decade of in situ cosmogenic 14C in Antarctica K. Nichols https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.13
- Neoglacial readvance of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to the northern Drygalski Basin (western Ross Sea) S. Ha et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40562-026-00470-5
- Constraints on the Timing and Extent of Deglacial Grounding Line Retreat in West Antarctica R. Venturelli et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022AV000846
31 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Feedback mechanisms controlling Antarctic glacial-cycle dynamics simulated with a coupled ice sheet–solid Earth model T. Albrecht et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4233-2024
- Mechanism for the subglacial formation of cryogenic brines S. Neuhaus & S. Tulaczyk https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.28
- Ocean cavity regime shift reversed West Antarctic grounding line retreat in the late Holocene D. Lowry et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47369-3
- Review article: Existing and potential evidence for Holocene grounding line retreat and readvance in Antarctica J. Johnson et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1543-2022
- Basement Topography and Sediment Thickness Beneath Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf M. Tankersley et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL097371
- Active and Passive Seismic Surveys over the Grounding Zone of Eastwind Glacier, Antarctica R. Agnew et al. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220250024
- Impact of glacial isostatic adjustment on zones of potential grounding line persistence in the Ross Sea Embayment (Antarctica) since the Last Glacial Maximum S. Kodama et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2935-2025
- High mid-Holocene accumulation rates over West Antarctica inferred from a pervasive ice-penetrating radar reflector J. Bodart et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1497-2023
- Dynamic subglacial meltwater history archived in Antarctic subglacial lake sediments T. Campbell et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/B37731.1
- Antarctic Ice Sheet paleo-constraint database B. Lecavalier et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3573-2023
- Groundwater dynamics beneath a marine ice sheet G. Cairns et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3725-2025
- Regional sea-level highstand triggered Holocene ice sheet thinning across coastal Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica Y. Suganuma et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00599-z
- History of Anvers-Hugo Trough, western Antarctic Peninsula shelf, since the Last Glacial Maximum. Part I: Deglacial history based on new sedimentological and chronological data Z. Roseby et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107590
- Widespread southern elephant seal occupation of the Victoria land coast implies a warmer-than-present Ross Sea in the mid-to-late Holocene B. Hall et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.107991
- Recent sedimentology at the grounding zone of the Kamb Ice stream, West Antarctica and implications for ice shelf extent T. Calkin et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108988
- Mid Holocene rapid thinning and rethickening of the East Antarctic ice sheet suggested by glacial isostatic adjustment J. Okuno et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24176-4
- Geothermal heat flux is the dominant source of uncertainty in englacial-temperature-based dating of ice rise formation A. Montelli & J. Kingslake https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-195-2023
- Global mean sea level likely higher than present during the holocene R. Creel et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54535-0
- A history-matching analysis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet since the Last Interglacial – Part 1: Ice sheet evolution B. Lecavalier & L. Tarasov https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-919-2025
- Trace element, rare earth element and trace carbon compounds in Subglacial Lake Whillans, West Antarctica C. Turetta et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164480
- Laminated sediments as archives of Holocene Antarctic coastal oceanography: evidence from Edisto Inlet, Ross Sea F. Torricella et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.110037
- Return to the Ross Ice Shelf Project (RISP), Site J-9 (1977–1979): perspectives of West Antarctic Ice Sheet history from Miocene and Holocene benthic foraminifera S. Dameron et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-187-2024
- Past interglacial West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse: a critical review of evidence and approaches M. Bentley & E. Wolff https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.110025
- An ensemble of Antarctic deglacial simulations constrained by geological observations M. Pittard et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107800
- Late Holocene stabilization of Conway Ice Ridge A. Hoffman et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3977-2026
- Holocene paleoceanographic variability in Robertson Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica: A marine record of ocean, ice sheet, and climate connectivity O. Truax et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108635
- Synchronous mid-Holocene marine and terrestrial deglaciation in the Ross Sea, Antarctica R. Parker et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65494-5
- Stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the pre-industrial Holocene R. Jones et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00309-5
- A decade of in situ cosmogenic 14C in Antarctica K. Nichols https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.13
- Neoglacial readvance of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to the northern Drygalski Basin (western Ross Sea) S. Ha et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40562-026-00470-5
- Constraints on the Timing and Extent of Deglacial Grounding Line Retreat in West Antarctica R. Venturelli et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022AV000846
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 07 Nov 2026
Short summary
We estimate the timing of post-LGM grounding line retreat and readvance in the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. Our analyses indicate that the grounding line retreated over our field sites within the past 5000 years (coinciding with a warming climate) and readvanced roughly 1000 years ago (coinciding with a cooling climate). Based on these results, we propose that the Siple Coast grounding line motions in the middle to late Holocene were driven by relatively modest changes in regional climate.
We estimate the timing of post-LGM grounding line retreat and readvance in the Ross Sea sector...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint