Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Polar Wander, Sea-level Variations and Ice Age Cycles

  • Published:
Surveys in Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There exist close connections between changes in the position of theearth's rotation axis with respect to the earth's surface (polarwander), variations in sea level, the rise and decline of Ice Ages andglobal change on geological time scales. The modeling of theseinterrelationships has received renewed attention in the last few years,after initial attempts to relate these phenomena by means ofviscoelastic solid earth relaxation models had shown its feasibility.An overview is given of the models, and several aspects of the variousinterrelationships are discussed. It is shown that the radial mantleviscosity profile and the layering of the solid earth have importantinfluences on these interactions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alterman, Z., Jarosch, H. and Pekeris, C.L.: 1959, Oscillations of the earth, Proc. R. Soc. A252, 80–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Besse, J. and Courtillot, V.: 1991, Revised and synthetic apparent polar wander paths of the African, Eurasian, North American and Indian plates, and true polar wander since 200 Ma, J. Geophys. Res. 96, 4029–4050.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bills, B.G. and James, T.S.: 1996, Late Quaternary variations in relative sea level due to glacial cycle polar wander, Geophys. Res. Lett. 23, 3023–3026.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bills, B.G., James, T.S. and Mengel, J.G.: 1999, Climatic impact of glacial cycle polar motion: Coupled oscillations of ice sheet mass and rotation pole position, J. Geophys. Res. 104, 1059–1075.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biot, M.A.: 1965, Mechanics of Incremental Deformations, John Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgers, J.M.: 1955, Rotational motion of a sphere subject to viscoelastic deformation, I, II & III, Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. 58, 219–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, M.K., Shum, C.K. and Tapley, B.D.: 1997, Determination of long-term changes in the Earth's gravity field from satellite laser ranging observations, J. Geophys. Res. 102, 22,377–22,390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devoti, R., Fermi, M., Luceri, V., Rutigliano, P., Sciarretta, C. and Bianco, G.: 1997, Estimation of low degree geopotential coefficients using SLR data, Annales Geophysicae 15(I), C126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickman, S.R.: 1977, Secular trend of the Earth's rotation pole: Consideration of motion of the latitude observatories, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 51, 229–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Donato, G., Vermeersen, L.L.A. and Sabadini, R.: 1999, Sea-level changes, geoid and gravity anomalies due to Pleistocene deglaciation by means of multilayered, analytical Earth models, Tectonophys, in press.

  • Duncan, R.A. and Richards, M.A.: 1991, Hotspots, mantle plumes, flood basalts, and true polar wander, Rev. Geophys. 29, 31–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dziewonski, A.M. and Anderson, D.L.: 1981, Preliminary reference Earth model, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 25, 297–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farley, K.A. and Patterson, D.B.: 1995, A 100-kyr periodicity in the flux of extraterrestrial 3He to the sea floor, Nature 378, 600–603.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, W.E. and Clark, J.A.: 1976, On postglacial sea level, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 46, 647–667.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasperini, P., Sabadini, R. and Yuen, D.A.: 1986, Excitation of the earth's rotational axis by recent glacial discharges, Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 533–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gold, T.: 1955, Instability of the Earth's axis of rotation, Nature 175, 526–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, R.S. and Vondrák, J.: 1999, Astrometric and space-geodetic observations of polar wander, Geophys. Res. Lett. 26, 2085–2088.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, B.H.: 1984, Subducted slabs and the geoid: Constraints on mantle rheology and flow, J. Geophys. Res. 89, 6003–6015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, D. and Wahr, J.: 1989, Post-glacial rebound analysis for a rotating earth, in: AGU Geophys. Monograph 49, AGU, Washington, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haskell, N.A.: 1935, The motion of a fluid under a surface load, Physics 6, 265–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, P.: 1993, The effect of spatially non-uniform water loads on prediction of sea-level change, Geophys. J. Int. 114, 615–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, P. and Lambeck, K.: 1999, Postglacial rebound and sea level contributions to changes in the geoid and the Earth's rotation axis, Geophys. J. Int. 136, 537–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirschvink, J.L., Ripperdan, R.L. and Evans, D.A.: 1997, Evidence for a large-scale reorganization of Early Cambrian continental masses by inertial interchange true polar wander, Science 277, 541–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, W.E.: 1922, The interpretation of apparent changes in mean latitude and the International Latitude Stations, Astron. J. 34(904), 103.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, D.D. and Luzum, B.J.: 1996, Path of the mean rotational pole from 1899 to 1994, Geophys. J. Int. 125, 623–629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milne, G.A. and Mitrovica, J.X.: 1996, Post-glacial sea level change on a rotating Earth: First results from a gravitationally self-consistent sea-level equation, Geophys. J. Int. 126, F13-F20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovica, J.X.: 1996, Haskell [1935] revisited, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 555–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovica, J.X. and Forte, A.M.: 1997, Radial profile of mantle viscosity: Results from the joint inversion of convection and postglacial rebound observables, J. Geophys. Res. 102, 2751–2769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovica, J.X. and Milne, G.A.: 1998, Glaciation-induced perturbations in the Earth's rotation: A new appraisal, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 985–1005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovica, J.X. and Peltier, W.R.: 1991, On postglacial geoid subsidence over the equatorial oceans, J. Geophys. Res. 96, 20,053–20,071.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mound, J.E. and Mitrovica, J.X.: 1998, True polar wander as a mechanism for second-order sea-level variations, Science 279, 534–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mound, J.E., Mitrovica, J.X., Evans, D.A. and Kirschvink, J.L.: 1999, A sea-level test for inertial interchange true polar wander events, Geophys. J. Int. 136, F5-F10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, R.A. and MacDonald, G.J.: 1995, Glacial cycles and orbital inclination, Nature 377, 107–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munk, W.H. and MacDonald, G.J.F.: 1960, The Rotation of the Earth: A Geophysical Discussion, Cambridge Univ. Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakada, M. and Lambeck, K.: 1989, Late Pleistocene and Holocene sea-level change in the Australian region and mantle rheology, Geophys. J. Int. 96, 497–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakiboglu, S.M. and Lambeck, K.: 1980, Deglaciation effects on the rotation of the Earth, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 62, 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltier, W.R.: 1974, The impulse response of a Maxwell Earth, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 12, 649–669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltier, W.R.: 1989, Mantle viscosity, in Mantle Convection: Plate Tectonics and Global Geodynamics, edited by W.R. Peltier, Gordon and Breach, New York, 389–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltier, W.R. and Andrews, J.T.: 1976, Glacial isostatic adjustment, I. The forward problem, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 46, 605–646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricard, Y., Sabadini, R. and Spada, G.: 1992, Isostatic deformations and polar wander induced by internal mass redistribution, J. Geophys. Res. 97, 14,223–14,236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R., Doglioni, C. and Yuen, D.A.: 1990, Eustatic sea level fluctuations induced by polar wander, Nature 345, 708–710.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R. and Peltier, W.R.: 1981, Pleistocene deglaciation and the Earth's rotation: Implications for mantle viscosity, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 66, 553–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R. and Vermeersen, L.L.A.: 1997, Ice-age cycles: Earth's rotation instabilities and sea-level changes, Geophys. Res. Lett. 24, 3041–3044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R. and Yuen, D.A.: 1989, Mantle stratification and long-term polar wander, Nature 339, 373–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R., Yuen, D.A. and Boschi, E.: 1982a, Interaction of cryospheric forcings with rotational dynamics has consequences for ice ages, Nature 296, 338–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R., Yuen, D.A. and Boschi, E.: 1982b, Polar wandering and the forced responses of a rotating, multilayered viscoelastic planet, J. Geophys. Res. 87, 2885–2903.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabadini, R., Yuen, D.A. and Boschi, E.: 1984, A comparison of the complete and truncated versions of the polar wander equations, J. Geophys. Res. 89, 7609–7620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shackleton, N.J. and Opdyke, N.D.: 1976, Oxygen isotope stratigraphy of Pacific core V28–239, Mem. Geol. Soc. Am. 145, 449–464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spada, G., Ricard, Y. and Sabadini, R.: 1992a, Excitation of true polar wander by subduction, Nature 360, 452–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spada, G., Sabadini, R., Yuen, D.A. and Ricard, Y.: 1992b, Effects on post-glacial rebound from the hard rheology in the transition zone, Geophys. J. Int. 109, 683–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberger, B. and O'Connell, R.J.: 1997, Changes of the Earth's rotation axis owing to advection of mantle density heterogeneities, Nature 387, 169–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberger, B. and O'Connell, R.J.: 1998, Advection of plumes in mantle flow: implications for hotspot motion, mantle viscosity and plume distribution, Geophys. J. Int. 132, 412–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tushingham, A.M. and Peltier, W.R.: 1991, ICE-3G: A new global model of late Pleistocene deglaciation based upon geophysical predictions of postglacial relative sea level histories, J. Geophys. Res 96, 4497–4523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A., Sabadini, R., Devoti, R., Luceri, V., Rutigliano, P., Sciarretta, C. and Bianco, G.: 1998, Mantle viscosity inferences from joint inversions of Pleistocene deglaciation-induced changes in geopotential with a new SLR analysis and polar wander, Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 4261–4264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A., Fournier, A. and Sabadini, R.: 1997, Changes in rotation induced by Pleistocene ice masses with stratified analytical Earth models, J. Geophys. Res. 102, 27,689–27,702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A. and Sabadini, R.: 1996, Significance of the fundamental mantle rotational relaxation mode in polar wander simulations, Geophys. J. Int. 127, F5-F9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A. and Sabadini, R.: 1997, A new class of stratified viscoelastic models by analytical techniques, Geophys. J. Int. 129, 531–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A., Sabadini, R. and Spada, G.: 1996, Compressible rotational deformation, Geophys. J. Int. 126, 735–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeersen, L.L.A., Sabadini, R., Spada, G. and Vlaar, N.J: 1994, Mountain building and Earth rotation, Geophys. J. Int. 117, 610–624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanach, B.: 1927, Eine forschreitende LagenRanderung der Erdachse, Zeitschrift Geophysik 3, 102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward, R.S.: 1888, On the form and position of mean sea level, United States Geol. Survey Bull. 48, 87–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, P.: 1978, The response of a Maxwell earth to applied surface mass loads: Glacial isostatic adjustment, MSc thesis, University of Toronto, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, P. and Peltier, W.R.: 1983, Glacial isostatic adjustment and free air gravity anomaly as a constraint on deep mantle viscosity, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 74, 377–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, P. and Peltier, W.R.: 1984, Pleistocene deglaciation and the Earth's rotation: a new analysis, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 76, 753–791.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoder, C.F., Williams, J.G., Dickey, J.O., Schutz, B.E., Eanes, R.J. and Tapley, B.D.: 1983, Secular variation of Earth's gravitational harmonic J2 coefficient from Lageos and nontidal acceleration of Earth rotation, Nature 303, 757–762.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuen, D.A., Sabadini, R., Gasperini, P. and Boschi, E.: 1986, On transient rheology and glacial isostasy, J. geophys. Res. 91, 11,420–11,438.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Sezione Geofisica, Universitá di Milano, Via L. Cicognara 7, I-20129, Milano, Italy

    L.L.A. Vermeersen & R. Sabadini

Authors
  1. L.L.A. Vermeersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Sabadini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vermeersen, L., Sabadini, R. Polar Wander, Sea-level Variations and Ice Age Cycles. Surveys in Geophysics 20, 415–440 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006691724099

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006691724099

Search

Navigation