The University of Chicago Press, The Journal of Geology, p. 000-000
DOI: 10.1086/684252
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We present geomorphic, stratigraphic, and chronological data acquired along theGeneral Carrera–Buenos Aires (GCBA) glacial lake located along a major morphological incision across the Andes. Complementing relevant available data, relative chronology of morphoclimatic records together with 18 10Be cosmic ray exposure ages allow constraining the timing of the Patagonian ice sheet fluctuations since the last glacialmaximum. It improves the knowledge of Patagonia climate evolution in the 467–487S area and allows documenting the uplift rates (glacial rebound) for the past ∼7–9 ka. The first major ice lobe retreat occurred after 17.3 ± 0.6 ka and has likely continued during the Antarctic cold reversal from ∼12.9 to 14.5 ka. Between ∼12.9 and ∼10.9 ± 1.3 ka, the General Carrera Lake evolved as an endorheic basin. Terraces T4–T1 (top to bottom) have recorded abrupt lake regressions likely controlled by rainfall deficit. They have accumulated in the time interval ∼17.3–12.3 ka (maximum limits). Two glacial re-advances at ∼10.9 ± 1.3 and ∼7.9 ± 1.1 ka marked a major climate change that led the lake to be ice dammed again. A major transgression occurred that subsequently flooded the previously accumulated terraces. Since then, a pervasive regression has steered the GCBA Lake to the situation at present. The highest shoreline of the transgression is used as a passive marker in order to quantify the magnitude and character of the regional deformation. At long 72°30'W, the GCBA Lake area uplifted (glacial rebound) at a rate between 15 and 33.5mm yr-1 during the past ∼7.9 ± 1.1 ka. We infer that the high uplift rate mainly originates from the North Patagonian icefield ice loss.