Quaternary geology of eastern Germany (Saxony, Saxon–Anhalt, South Brandenburg, Thüringia), type area of the Elsterian and Saalian Stages in Europe

摘要: Abstract The characteristic feature of the Quaternary geology eastern Germany (location map, Fig. 1) is a sequence more than 50 horizons and complexes glacial (laminated clays, tills, glaciofluvial sediments) periglacial (river gravels, gelifluction sheets, alluvium, loess) facies. In period between younger Tertiary first Elsterian continental glaciation, at least four gravel terraces were built up under cold climate conditions. youngest these bodies lacks Scandinavian rocks interbedded with glaciolacustrine deposits. Pre-Elsterian temperate periods have been recorded number places (i.e. Zeuchfeld, Untermassfeld, Voigtstedt, Sussenborn). Two major ice advances additional minor oscillations identified, Saalian ages. Complete Eemian Holsteinian sequences are represented showing vegetational development through each interglacial cycle (cool, temperate–warm, cool). Weichselian Stage in by thick sedimentation, including debris covers loess. Within sediments wide variety glaciotectonic structures soil structures, classical involutions ice-wedge casts. An outline present state knowledge given Tables 1–3 while Table 4 presents stratigraphical comparison neighbouring regions countries. palaeogeography region during European glaciation depicted 2.