TOPOGRAPHY AND FORMER SCOTTISH TIDEWATER GLACIERS

The stillstand positions of many tidewater glaciers in Scottish sea lochs during the Loch Lomond Stadial correspond closely with topographic pinning points in the lochs. These pinning points are locations where the fjord geometry changes significantly, allowing the ablation rates of calving glaciers to alter and restore dynamic equilibrium. Evidence also suggests that water depth may have influenced rates of advance and retreat. Following an initial climatic trigger, the subsequent behaviour of these tidewater glaciers may therefore reflect the influence of trough geometry. The response of calving glaciers to further small-scale climatic changes can be indirect and variable. This behaviour is analogous to that of contemporary Alaskan tidewater glaciers.