Origin of the driftwood on the coasts of Iceland; a dendrochronological study

Abstract

In many places along the extensive coastline of Iceland driftwood has been washed ashore over a long period of time. Although the amount of driftwood varies from place to place it is found on almost every beach along the coast. The wood originates in the boreal forest regions of Russia/Siberia. Rivers which drain these forested areas carry driftwood into the Arctic Ocean, where it is caught in drifting ice and transported by the oceanic currents. At present most of the Pinus and Picea driftwood reaching Iceland are logs that came loose during timber floating on the Russian/Siberian rivers, whereas most of the Larix driftwood has a 'natural' origin, with their root system preserved. Because of the relatively short buoyancy time of the driftwood - most of its travel must have taken place frozen in sea ice - it can be concluded that some of the drift-ice reaching Iceland has the same origin as the driftwood ie, the Barents and Siberian seas. The youngest dated sample indicates that it is possible for arctic driftwood to reach the coasts of Iceland in less than six years. -from Author