Influence of palaeokarst morphology on the formation of ice-pushed ridges: a case study from Rejowiec, eastern Poland

This article describes the well-exposed landform/sediment assemblage of a Pliocene palaeouvala and Pleistocene (Saalian) ice-pushed ridge in a large quarry in Upper Cretaceous marls near Rejowiec, eastern Poland. The site provides a rare opportunity to study the development of glacial depositional and deformational processes on morphologically and structurally variable bedrock. The internal structures of both chronostratigraphic units which comprise this assemblage provide evidence of two principal stages of deformation associated with an ice advance on a karstified foreland, each stage preceded by stabilization of the ice mass. The first deformational stage was characterized by the development of imbricate structures in outwash sediments (the initial ice-pushed ridge) and listric faults at the contact between the bedrock and palaeouvala fills (caused by an increasing ice load). Shallow subglacial folding of the proximal fan deposits, and a listric thrust which limited the extent of the ice-pushed ridge under development occurred in the second deformational stage. The data assembled indicate that the formation of push moraines (in a general sense) during ice-sheet advance is controlled by the substratum undulations. Closed depressions with loose fills in the foreland of advancing ice sheets can control the deformational style, geometry and extent (both lateral and vertical) of the push moraines.     

The intra-Saalian interstadial floras of the Chojny Formation of Belchatów,central Poland

The Saalian sequence of Belchatów, central Poland, is exceptionally thick and complete. Five tills, two from the older Saalian (Odranian, Drenthe) and three from the younger Saalian (Wartanian, Warthe), which are separated by the fluvial Chojny Formation, have been identified. The Saalian sequence at Be?chatów is underlain by Holsteinian and overlain by Eemian sequences, both palaeobotanically analysed. The Chojny Formation contains deposits of meandering (lower member) and braided (upper member) rivers, with occasional aeolian deposits. The lower member of the formation contains numerous organic layers. Pollen analysis indicates temperate (sub-boreal) to cold (sub-arctic) climatic conditions, with coniferous to mixed forests in the optimum phase of the interstadial. The interstadial floras of the Chojny Formation are interpreted as representing the intra-Saalian Pilica Interstadial. Profiles from Belchatów are designated as the stratotype profiles of this substage. The data from Be?chatów show clearly that reforestation occurred between the major advances of the Saalian ice sheet, although only interstadial rank, not interglacial, may be inferred from the pollen data.     

Saalian sediments of the Belchatów outcrop, central Poland

The deposits of six glacial episodes, including five till beds and fluvial deposits of one temperate substage, stratigraphically lying between the Holsteinian and Eemian Interglacials have been recognized in the geological record of the Kleszczów Graben, central Poland. Two other temperate substages have been recognized on the basis of well-developed weathering horizons on the tills. The depositional environments and general petrological features of these sediments are described and their stratigraphical position is discussed. The Saalian Complex of the Kleszczów Graben has been subdivided into the Older Saalian (three glacial episodes), the Pilica Interstadial and the Younger Saalian (three glacial episodes and two presumed interstadials). This sequence cannot be simply correlated with other Saalian stratigraphic sequences in Europe, although the pre-Odranian and Odranian (=main Drenthe) tills most probably belong to the Older Saalian, and the Wartanian (Warthe) tills to the Younger Saalian. The geological record presented here suggests that reforestation phases occurred during the Saalian. This contradicts recently developed continental stratigraphics.     

Within-valley asymmetry and related problems of Neoglacial lateral moraine development at certain Jotunheimen glaciers, southern Norway

A difference in the size of Neoglacial lateral moraines on either side of a valley axis (within-valley asymmetry of lateral moraine development) is described. Analysis of clast roundness has revealed subangular material in latero-terminal and terminal moraines; lateral moraines, however, exhibit a compositional gradient of increasing angularity with distance from the former glacier snout. Comparisons with clasts of known origin suggest that this 'roundness gradient' may be explained with reference to either or both of two hypotheses: (1) a variable proportion of supraglacial (or englacial) to subglacial transported material; and (2) the variable composition of regolith incorporated by a push mechanism from the valley sides. Within-valley asymmetry is inferred to result where the supply of debris to lateral moraines from these sources is unequal either side of a valley axis. Both interpretations are also consistent with the relatively large size of latero-terminal sections of end moraines. In order to account for the discrepancy between moraine size and apparent debris supply rates, it is suggested that the largest lateral moraines may have been formed over a longer time scale than the 'Little Ice Age', and that reworking of deposits may have occurred. The supply of debris to the north-facing lateral moraine at Nordre Illåbreen has been so great that it has developed into a rock glacier; this suggests the possibility that subglacial material and valley-side regolith, as well as supraglacial material, contributes to the formation of ice-cored rock glaciers.     

The long-singular ridges of the Halland Coastal Moraines,South-Western Sweden

Radiocarbon dates of shells from the long singular ridges belonging to the Halland Coastal Moraines indicate that the ridges are younger than 12 400 yr BP, whereas according to the existing chronostratigraphy of western Sweden, the area was ice free before 12 700 yr BP. The ridges are interpreted as push moraines and not deposits of a stationary ice margin. The chronostratigraphy of western Sweden seems to need revision; however, further study is necessary before it is possible to present a new model.     

Basal (basic) moraines: Problem of the identification and principles of new classification

The existing concepts of moraine/till formation are discussed and the available factual data on this issue are analyzed. It is concluded that active glaciers from the transported mineral matter make up exclusively basal moraines on the river bed. The latter moraines, which are composed of material directly deposited from the glacier base on the substrate, represent glacial diamicts. It is believed that material in these deposits always acquire a semisolid-solid (“stiff”) state. We identified a new type of glacial deposits–“mitis” basal moraines, which include the recently defined low consolidated glacial diamicts. Consequently, basal moraines are divided into two facies associations: moraines with glaciodynamic structures (common “stiff” moraines) and “mitis” moraines (M-moraines). Deposits of these associations are formed in different thermal zones (areas) of the ice sheet bed. Moraines of the first facies association are formed in melt zones. Therefore, they are characterized by different lithologies and overconsolidation. The M-moraines formed on the thawed glacial bed are marked by massive structure and low (normal) consolidation. They are subdivided into the Barents Sea and Antarctic types.     

The pre-weichselian glaciations of North-West Europe

In North-West Europe no evidence has been found for glaciations older than the Elsterian. The Elsterian seems to consist of at least two separate ice advances with a minor interval in between. During the Elsterian in the area south of the Baltic Sea over 400 m deep channels were cut into the underlying substratum by a combination of glacial erosion and meltwater activity. The channels were active until the Late Elsterian and were subsequently filled with meltwater deposits and glaciolacustrine silt and clay. During the Saalian no comparative channels were being formed. Three different ice advances can be distinguished within the Saalian, the stratigraphical correlation of which is to be discussed. No convincing evidence was found for any interglacial within the Saalian sequence. There are good reasons to assume that the ice advances were only separated from each other by minor ice-free intervals.     

Formation of De Geer moraines and implications for deglaciation dynamics

De Geer moraines are very common in the Møre area, western Norway. These moraines occur below the marine limit and outside the Younger Dryas ice limit and occupy tributaries that connect the main fjords through the mountain passes. During deglaciation, ice in these tributaries flowed to the major ice streams. Sections across three De Geer moraines show that the ridges are composed of diamictons and fine-grained sediment, partly in stacked sequences. The diamicton units are interpreted as being composed of water-lain tills, lodgements tills and subaqueous flow deposits. The fine-grained sediment is though to have formed in a proglacial marine environment. Clast fabric of diamictons and deformation structures in underlying sands show that depositional directions for diamicton units and the direction of deformation for the sands is perpendicular to the ridge crests. Mainly based on this evidence, the ridges are thought to have formed by push at the glacier grounding line. The formation of transverse ridges (relative to ice flow) do occur in basal crevasses on modern glaciers, as do swarms of ridges along the front of retreating glaciers. The first mechanism of deposition does not seem to explain the ridges studied in the present paper and hence the importance of this process in the formation of De Geer moraines is questioned. The De Geer moraines were deposited by ice lobes advancing from one main fjord into another; therefore by studying the drainage pattern of the tributary lobes and their sequence of deglaciation, many features of the style of deglaciation of the ice sheet across the area can be determined. The northwestern part of the area was deglaciated earliest. After that, deglaciation proceeded to the southwest parallel to the coast. Subsequently the outer and the central part of Romsdalsfjorden were deglaciated causing ice to drain towards this fjord from both the north and south. The last fjord to be deglaciated was Storfjorden in the south.     

Lateglacial and Holocene cosmogenic surface exposure age glacial chronology and geomorphological evidence for the presence of cold‐based glaciers at Nevado Sajama,Bolivia

Comparisons of palaeo‐equilibrium line altitudes between the Western and Eastern Cordilleras in the Central Andes are commonly based on the assumption that the tall outermost moraines visible in remotely sensed images of the Western Cordillera date to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). However, field investigation and geomorphic mapping at Nevado Sajama, Bolivia, indicates the tall moraines are relic features with shorter moraines overlying and in some cases extending beyond them. ³⁶Cl exposure ages from the shorter moraines suggest that they date to Lateglacial times ca. 16.9–10.2 ka. Although Lateglacial deposits have been found throughout the Central Andes, the extent of these deposits relative to LGM deposits varies both between the Western and Eastern Cordilleras and north‐to‐south along the Western Cordillera. In the Western Cordillera in the zone of easterly winds, the Lateglacial appears to be the most extensive glacial advance of the last glacial cycle. Geomorphic evidence also suggests that some Lateglacial moraines were deposited by cold‐based ice, a previously unreported finding in the tropical Andes. Retreat from other glacial features occurred at about 7.0–4.4 ka and 4.7–3.3 ka. These are the first directly dated Holocene glacial deposits in the Western Cordillera of Bolivia, and their presence suggests that the mid Holocene may not have been as warm and dry as previously thought. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Push moraines in the upper valley of Santa Cruz river,southwest Argentina. Structural analysis and relationship with Late Pleistocene paleoclimate

The upper cliff of the Santa Cruz River was used to assess the proglacial environments of the Argentino Glacier outlet of Late Pleistocene age. These cliffs show glaciolacustrine, fluvioglacial and till deposits, where only the first one are deformed. Glacial landforms in the area and these structures suggest that the ice mass advanced, topographically controlled, towards the east from the Patagonian Ice Sheet pushing up the proglacial sediments.The spatial arrangement of thrusts and overturned folds, the drumlins-flutes moraine directions and the end moraines shape, allow inferring the dynamic and the Argentino glacier profile. Detailed analyses of the glaciotectonic structures indicate that these have two origins: load in the north with stress transfer to the southeast, and push from the west. Through the analysis of deformed sediments, their thickness and their sedimentary and structural features, three zones of deformations were recognized. Each of these zones was associated to glacial advances because of changes of the regional climate conditions.     

Holocene glacier fluctuations in the middle Canadian Rocky Mountains

Holocene glacial advances in the Banff-Jasper-Yoho area of the Canadian Rocky Mountains have been extremely limited in extent. Limiting ¹⁴C dates from two sites within 1 km of contemporary glaciers of fresh terminal moraines indicate that the late Wisconsin Ice Sheet and valley glaciers disappeared prior to 9660 yr B.P. Two subsequent glacial advances are recognized. The earlier Crowfoot Advance is represented by moraines and rock-glacier deposits overlain by Mazama ash (6600 yr B.P.) and is therefore early Holocene or possibly late Wisconsin in age. The late Neoglacial Cavell Advance of the last few centuries is dated by dendrochronology and lichenometry. In addition, there is fragmentary, undated evidence of intermediate-age advance(s), mainly from rock-glacier deposits. All these advances were of limited extent (1–2 km beyond present ice margins) and the Cavell Advance was usually the most extensive. Major exceptions to this pattern occur only where rock glaciers or extensive ice-cored moraines developed during the earlier advance(s?). These deposits were not overrun by glaciers during the Cavell Advance because of their relatively greater downvalley extent and the physical barrier they presented to subsequent glacial advances. Earlier work which postulated more extensive early Holocene advances in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is shown to have inadequate dating control: Many of the features previously attributed to older Holocene events are late Wisconsin in age.     

Upper Wisconsinan submarine end moraines off Cape Ann,Massachusetts

Seismic profiles across the southwest end of Jeffreys Ledge, a bathymetric high north of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, reveal two end moraines. The moraines overlie upper Wisconsinan glacialmarine silty clay and are composed mostly of subaqueous ice-contact deposits and outwash. They were formed below sea level in water depths of as much as 120 m during fluctuations of a calving ice front. The moraines are late Wisconsinan in age and were formed after the Cambridge readvance, about 14,000 yr B.P., and before the Kennebunk readvance, about 13,000 yr B.P. They represent fluctuations of the ice front during overall retreat of Laurentide ice from the Gulf of Maine and New England.     

西藏札达盆地及周缘高山区第四纪冰川遗迹与冰期的初步划分和对比

札达盆地及周缘高山区的第四纪冰川遗迹分布广泛,类型齐全、发育连续.特征的冰碛及冰水堆积地貌有:冰水堆积平原或冰水堆积平台、冰碛丘陵等.挤压构造遗迹有:褶皱、断裂表皮构造、压坑、压裂构造、变形砾石等.ESR年代测定结果表明,冰碛形成的最大年龄为2.33Ma.依据冰碛、冰水堆积的特征、分布和形成年代等,区域冰川发育由老到新可划分出:7次冰期、6次间冰期、1次冰缘期、1次新冰期.该区是目前所知青藏高原第四纪冰川遗迹发现最多、保存最全和发育最连续的地区,为青藏高原地区的第四纪冰川演化研究、冰期的划分和对比、古气候古环境的研究,提供了重要的实际资料和依据.      

Age and extent of the Barents and Kara ice sheets in Northern Russia

The youngest ice marginal zone between the White Sea and the Ural mountains is the W-E trending belt of moraines called the Varsh-Indiga-Markhida-Harbei-Halmer-Sopkay, here called the Markhida line. Glacial elements show that it was deposited by the Kara Ice Sheet, and in the west, by the Barents Ice Sheet. The Markhida moraine overlies Eemian marine sediments, and is therefore of Weichselian age. Distal to the moraine are Eemian marine sediments and three Palaeolithic sites with many C-14 dates in the range 16-37 ka not covered by till, proving that it represents the maximum ice sheet extension during the Weichselian. The Late Weichselian ice limit of M. G. Grosswald is about 400 km (near the Urals more than 700 km) too far south. Shorelines of ice dammed Lake Komi, probably dammed by the ice sheet ending at the Markhida line, predate 37 ka. We conclude that the Markhida line is of Middle/Early Weichselian age, implying that no ice sheet reached this part of Northern Russia during the Late Weichselian. This age is supported by a series of C-14 and OSL dates inside the Markhida line all of >45 ka. Two moraine loops protrude south of the Markhida line; the Laya-Adzva and Rogavaya moraines. These moraines are covered by Lake Komi sediments, and many C-14 dates on mammoth bones inside the moraines are 26-37 ka. The morphology indicates that the moraines are of Weichselian age, but a Saalian age cannot be excluded. No post-glacial emerged marine shorelines are found along the Barents Sea coast north of the Markhida line.     

Seismic stratigraphy of the Quaternary and its substratum in southeastern Kattegat, Scandinavia

Based on c. 1500 km reflection seismic profiles, the Quaternary formations and their pre-Quaternary substratum in the southeastern Kattegat are described and a geological interpretation is suggested. The major volume of Quaternary deposits is found in a broad north-northwest south-southeast trending topographic depression. The substratum consists of Upper Cretaceous limestone in the region north of the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone, and inside this zone older Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and Precambrian crystalline rocks are found. The Quaternary is divided into four seismic units. No direct stratigraphic control is available, but the units are assumed to represent a period ranging from Late Saalian to Holocene. The oldest unit (unit 3) is composed of deposits of supposed Late Saalian to Middle Weichselian age. This unit was severely eroded probably by the Late Weichselian ice sheets in a zone extending 40–50 km from the Swedish coast. Unit 2 represents the Late Weichselian till deposits. North and east of the island of Anholt unit 3 is cut by a system of channels eroded by glacial meltwater. By the erosion a relief up to c. 100 m was formed. After the recession of the Late Weichselian ice, an up to 100 m thick sequence of water-lain sediments (unit 1) was deposited in the erosional basin and channels. Holocene deposits (unit 0) of considerable thickness have only been identified in the channels in the northern part of the area.     

Luminescence dating of ice‐marginal deposits in northern Germany: evidence for repeated glaciations during the Middle Pleistocene (MIS 12 to MIS 6)

The exact number, extent and chronology of the Middle Pleistocene Elsterian and Saalian glaciations in northern Central Europe are still controversial. This study presents new luminescence data from Middle Pleistocene ice‐marginal deposits in northern Germany, giving evidence for repeated glaciations during the Middle Pleistocene (MIS 12 to MIS 6). The study area is located in the Leine valley south of the North German Lowlands. The data set includes digital elevation models, high‐resolution shear wave seismic profiles, outcrop and borehole data integrated into a 3D subsurface model to reconstruct the bedrock relief surface. For numerical age determination, we performed luminescence dating on 12 ice‐marginal and two fluvial samples. Luminescence ages of ice‐marginal deposits point to at least two ice advances during MIS 12 and MIS 10 with ages ranging from 461±34 to 421±25 ka and from 376±27 to 337±21 ka. The bedrock relief model and different generations of striations indicate that the older ice advance came from the north and the younger one from the northeast. During rapid ice‐margin retreat, subglacial overdeepenings were filled with glaciolacustrine deposits, partly rich in re‐worked Tertiary lignite and amber. During MIS 8 and MIS 6, the study area may have been affected by two ice advances. Luminescence ages of glaciolacustrine delta deposits point to a deposition during MIS 8 or early MIS 6, and late MIS 6 (250±20 to 161±10 ka). The maximum extent of both the Elsterian (MIS 12 and MIS 10) and Saalian glaciations (MIS 8? and MIS 6) approximately reached the same position in the Leine valley and was probably controlled by the formation of deep proglacial lakes in front of the ice sheets, preventing a further southward advance.     

Depositional processes of Pleistocene lowland end Moraines, and their possible relation to climatic conditions

Three kinds of end moraines, depending most probably on climatic conditions affecting depositional environments, are characterized: (1) fluvioglacial end moraines - built of gravels and sands froming fans superimposed on one another, and accumulated by abundant melt water during intense melting of an ice front in a comparatively warm environment; (2) 'Glacial' end moraines - built of flow tills accumulated during slow melting in a comparatively cold environment; and (3) fluvioglacial-and-glacial end moraines, the most widespread ones in Polish lowlands – built of fluvioglacial stratified gravels and sands and of glacial 'flow' deposits; zones of considerable prevalence of glacial deposits over fluvioglacial ones may probably point to comparatively cold stages during deposition, and vice versa. The question of deposition of end moraines in distal and proximal direction, and their geological and geomorphological features is also briefly discussed.     

Advance of alpine glaciers during final retreat of the Cordilleran ice sheet in the Finlay River area, northern British Columbia, Canada

Sharp-crested moraines, up to 120 m high and 9 km beyond Little Ice Age glacier limits, record a late Pleistocene advance of alpine glaciers in the Finlay River area in northern British Columbia. The moraines are regional in extent and record climatic deterioration near the end of the last glaciation. Several lateral moraines are crosscut by meltwater channels that record downwasting of trunk valley ice of the northern Cordilleran ice sheet. Other lateral moraines merge with ice-stagnation deposits in trunk valleys. These relationships confirm the interaction of advancing alpine glaciers with the regionally decaying Cordilleran ice sheet and verify a late-glacial age for the moraines. Sediment cores were collected from eight lakes dammed by the moraines. Two tephras occur in basal sediments of five lakes, demonstrating that the moraines are the same age. Plant macrofossils from sediment cores provide a minimum limiting age of 10,550-10,250 cal yr BP (9230 ± 50 ¹⁴C yr BP) for abandonment of the moraines. The advance that left the moraines may date to the Younger Dryas period. The Finlay moraines demonstrate that the timing and style of regional deglaciation was important in determining the magnitude of late-glacial glacier advances.     

Moraine ridges formed from subglacial frozen-on sediment slabs and their differentiation from push moraines

Throughout the 1980s the annual cycle of ice-front activity along the stationary north margin of the ice-cap Myrdalsjökull, southern Iceland, produced a complex ridge, 4 m high, composed of imbricately stacked slabs of frozen, clast-paved lodgement till dipping up-glacier. Further observations in 1994 revealed that glaciofluvial processes and associated deposits may be involved in the final stage of ridge production depending on local climate and meltwater drainage pattern. It is concluded that at the margin of Myrdalsjökull the progressive stacking of subglacial frozen-on sediment slabs to form a moraine ridge is a fundamentally similar mechanism to that involved in the incremental double-layer model reported from Styggesdalsbreen, southern Norway. This study has also identified internal characteristics which are of potential use for distinguishing between moraine ridges formed by this mechanism and push moraines formed by proglacial thrusting.