Saalian nivation activity in the Bosbeek valley, NE Belgium

Abstract

The geomorphological analysis of the Bosbeek valley, situated in the present-day temperate climate of Belgium, establishes that in the Saalian periglacial environment snow played a major role in shaping the landscape. It is inferred that snow banks were important for a rapid and considerable retreat of the western valley side in loose deposits. Intense snowmelt in the beginning of the short summers was responsible for the formation of a periglacial pediment between the valley side and the river floodplain. By these processes the Saalian was, at least in northeastern Belgium, the most effective glacial stage in terms of erosion. During the Weichselian, the Saalian periglacial landscape was only slightly remodelled by river incision and cover sand deposition.