High-resolution rock magnetic data, atomic mass spectroscopy (super 14) C dates, delta (super 18) O, and grain-size analyses from a piston core (HU90-013-013) located off southwest Greenland provide a record of the last two deglaciations. During Termination I, a well-defined interval having high volumetric magnetic susceptibility (k) and a low ratio of anhysteretic susceptibility to volumetric magnetic susceptibility (k (sub ARM) /k) postdates the Younger Dryas and the delta (super 18) O change marking the stage 2/1 boundary and correlates with sedimentological and geomorphological evidence for Greenland ice-sheet retreat from the coastline to the continental interior. During Termination II, a very similar magnetic signal coincides with the delta (super 18) O shift marking the stage 6/5 glacial-interglacial transition and continues throughout substage 5e. We suggest that this magnetic signal, during both Termination I and Termination II, marks continental meltwater-carried detritus from Greenland. If so, the synchronous changes in magnetic and oxygen isotopic records at Termination II indicate very early and rapid deglaciation of Greenland, in contrast to the relatively late deglaciation observed for Termination I. Distinct fluctuations in k and k (sub ARM) /k occur below the onset of the delta (super 18) O change at Termination I (where they occur at approximately 16 900 yr B.P.) and at Termination II. These fluctuations are interpreted as due to sudden influxes of detritus into the basin caused by unpinning of ice from the continental shelf at the inception of deglaciation.