Late glacial ice flows in northern Kainuu and Peräpohjola, North-East Finland

Abstract

Several ice flows postdating the Peräpohjola interstadial are indicated in northern Kainuu and Peräpohjola. The oldest extended over the whole region and was directed from west to east. The younger flows, of which there were at least three in the south‑eastern part of the region and two in the north, were more limited in scope. The ice flows succeeded each other with no interstadials.

Uneven thinning of the ice sheet and changes in ice feed conditions gave rise to new flows varying in thickness, mass and movement. During the late‑glacial period local ice divides developed, from which ice flows pro­ceeded in the direction of least resistance. This occurred relative to the ice masses and topographical features of adjacent ice flows. Pronounced local relief features became decisive for the ice flow in the very last stages of the deglaciation, when the ice sheet was comparatively thin.