Geology and geomorphology of a fossil aeolian landscape in the Liemers (Eastern Netherlands)

Abstract

A fossil aeolian landscape of 15 km2 has been investigated with help of drillings and study of exposures. The sands show a gently undulating surface and an average thickness between 0.8 and 1.8 m. In one place they have a low dune morphology. The sands are underlain by Late Weichselian floodplain deposits and overlain by Holocene floodplain deposits. Pollenanalytical dating limits the time of deposition to the interval Late Dryas Stadial/Atlantlcum. As it is presumed that in this environment strong aeolian action is possible under periglacial circumstances only, the time of deposition must be restricted to the Late Dryas Stadial. Stratigraphically the deposit represents an aeolian phase in the predominantly fluviatile Kreftenheye Formation. It is closely associated with the Late Glacial river-dune deposits that are present along the major rivers in The Netherlands.