The maps were made from the ETOPO II digital terrain model (DTM) by extrapolating the present isostatic rise backwards, and adding the eustatic sea level curve from Fairbanks (1989). The water levels in the fresh water stages of the Baltic Sea (Ancylus, Baltic Ice Lake) have also been adjusted. Dogger Bank is visible in the North Sea as an island 9,000 years ago.

The geography you see is a result of the combination of several effects. First, Scandinavia was covered by inland ice during the ice age. Second, the weight of the ice pressed down the land during the ice age. Third, the world sea level was lowered during the ice age since so much water was bound in, mainly, the Laurentian ice sheet over North America. Forth, when the Scandinavian ice sheet melted the land rose again—this is the isostatic effect. Fifth, when the Laurentian ice melted the world sea level rose—this is the eustatic effect.

The isostatic effect is a bit delayed compared to the eustatic effect, but since the Scandinavian (and British) ice finished melting earlier than the Laurentian ice, the situation became complex. In many areas there was an initial regression due to (local) isostatic effects, followed by a transgression due to the (global) eustatic effect, again followed by regression due to the continuing (local) istostacy. The global eustacy is discussed in the page on sea level change.

QTVR of Scandinavia from 20 kBP to present, in 1 ka steps. Drag right to go forward in time, left to reverse. Use Shift to zoom in, Ctrl to zoom out, and Option-drag to pan. Click here to see the age of each frame. You need QuickTime to see the map (download from Apple for free).