The history of Glacial Lake Yukon, Canada

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Melles
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551622236

Within the scope of the proposed project an exposed approx. 8 m thick sediment sequence in the Canadian Yukon Territory shall be geologically investigated together with Canadian partners. The sequence could for the first time reflect the existence and history of the so-called "Glacial Lake Yukon". It has long been assumed that this proglacial lake had been formed during the first major glaciation of the region near the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary, and that its final sudden outflow permanently changed the flow direction of the Yukon River. The aspired investigations comprise detailed sediment descriptions and sampling in the field as well as sedimentological and geochemical analyses of the samples in the laboratory. The data obtained will in particular be used to clarify (i) whether the exposed sediments were indeed deposited in a proglacial lake, (ii) how complete the sedimentary sequence is and (iii) which history the lake has experienced. The project is based on preliminary investigations by the Canadian partners. It is to be flanked by a third-party funded project in Canada with a comparable volume and shall form the basis for a larger bilateral research project in which the large-scale climatic and environmental history of the western Canadian Arctic at the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary is to be reconstructed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Canada
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Raphael Gromig; Professor Dr. Brent Ward