Some features of deformation structures in an esker on the southern margin of the Fennoscandian shield

Abstract

As a result of melting of the last ice sheet in the southeastern edge of the Fennoscandian shield, ridge structures called eskers were formed. One of these eskers is the subject of our study. We have identified both typical non-deformed sedimentary layers and specific intrusive mixture of sand and silt in the esker. The sand and silt were deformed with formation of recumbent and overturned folds, which indicate that they have experienced displacement in a ductile (wet) state. The formation of similar dislocations (diapir folds or glacial intrusion structures) can occur as a result of either dead ice melting or liquefaction during earthquakes.

Keywords

• eskers
• Fennoscandian Shield
• liquefaction
• neotectonics
• palaeoearthquakes
• deformation structures
• dislocations
• intrusion