Periglacial environmental developments between 30 and 20 ka BP in Denmark

Abstract

A sedimentary sequence from eastern Denmark covers the time span from somewhat before 30 ka BP until 20 ka BP, based on thermoluminescence (TL) age estimates. The sequence is composed of loess and sandloess alternating with water-laid sediments in the lower part and with slope deposits in the upper part. Pollen is present in some of the layers. Integration of the evidence from this sequence with data from other north and central European localities of the same period suggests that from 30 till 20 ka BP there was much reworking of sediments by wind. The presence of slope deposits and frost-wedge casts points to (intermittent?) permafrost between about 24 and20 ka BP, and possibly also for a period between 27 and24 ka BP Although soil surface conditions were unstable, vegetation was probably present during almost the entire period; the dominant cover was herbs, grasses and sedges.