Structure of end moraines and dynamics of the recession phase of the Warta Stadial ice sheet, Kłodawa Upland, Central Poland

Abstract

The occurrence of end moraines reflects the dynamics of an ice sheet, and their inner structure is determined by processes taking place in marginal zones. In the southern part of the Kłodawa Upland of Central Poland, such moraines were formed, but opinions conflict as to their origin, including the influence of local transgression of the ice sheet, as well as its areal and frontal recession. The primary aim of this article is to analyse the inner structure of forms to define the dynamic state of the Warta Stadial ice sheet of the Odra Glaciation (Saalian). The conducted research includes fieldwork at four key sites, where lithofacial analysis was performed, as well as a geomorphological and geological mapping that included two cross-sections in greater detail. In exposures, the work focused on deformed structures of sediments. Description of key sites was extended by the creation and the analysis of general geological cross-sections. Considering the results of the research, the Kutno end moraines should not be classified as push moraines – they were revealed to be accumulative in character.

Keywords

• end moraines
• marginal zone
• lithofacial analysis
• pleistocene