Introduction to Quaternary Geology (MA-Modul 3223)

Prof. C. Breitkreuz, SS2012, TU Freiberg

1. Introduction:- Relevance, and relations to other fields of geoscience- Lower stratigraphic boundary and subdivision of the Quaternary

2. The paleoclimatic evolution: - paleoclimatic proxies and controlling parameters

3. Stratigraphic methods and age dating of Quaternary processes

4. Glacials: glacial and periglacial processes on land, deposits and structures

5. Glacio-marine processes

6. Interglacials, including the Holocene, the Pleistocene-Holocene transition

14.07.12: one-day Field trip to Quaternary outcrops (put your name into list at Frau Klocke’s office)

11.07.12: written test / Klausur

Lecture pdfs under www.geo.tu-freiberg.de/dynamo/Abbildungen_Lehre.htm

Recommended literature

Benn, D.I. & Evans, D.J.A. (1998): Glaciers & Glaciation.- Arnold, London, 734 pp.Bradley, R.S. (1999): Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing climates of the Quatenary.- 2. edition, Academic Press, London, 610 pp.Catt, J.A. (1992): Angewandte Quartärgeologie.- Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 358 pp.Dawson A.G. (1992): Ice age Earth – Late Quaternary geology and climate.-Routledge, London, 293 pp.Ehlers, J. (1995): Quaternary and glacial geology.- Wiley & Son, New York, 578 pp.Ehlers, J. (Ed.; 2011): Quaternary glaciations: extent and chronology – a closer look.- Developments in Quaternary science, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 15, 1108 pp.Eißmann, L. (1981): Periglaziale Prozesse und Permafroststrukturen aus sechs Kaltzeiten des Quartärs - Ein Beitrag zur Periglazialgeologie aus der Sicht des Saale-Elbe-Gebietes.- Altenburger naturw. Forsch. 1, 171 pp.Elias, S.A. (Ed.)(2007): Encyclopedia of Quaternary science.- Elsevier, 4 volumes, 3365 pp.

Geyh, M.A. & Schleicher, H. (1990): Absolute age determination: physical and chemical dating methods and their application.- Springer Verlag Berlin, 503 pp.Noller, J.S., Sowers, J.M. & Lettis, W.R. (Hrsg.)(2000): Quaternary Geochronology – Methods and applications.- AGU Reference Shelf 4, Washington DC, 582 pp.Schreiner, A. (1997): Einführung in die Quartärgeologie.- E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart., 257 pp.Wilson, R.C.L., Drury, S.A. & Chapman, J.L. (2000): The great ice age –climate change and life.- Routledge, London, 267 pp.

International Union for Quaternary Research (www.inqua.tcd.ie)Journal: Quaternary International (Pergamon)

Quaternary geology

Evolution of system Earth

Marine GeologySedimentology

Regional Geology

Relation to other (geo-)science fields

ArcheologyAnthropology

Quaternary geology

Socio-economic relevance

Applied geoscience/geotechnology• Hydrogeology• Soils - foundation• Soils - agriculture• Land use regulation• Gravel, sand, clay• Environmental geoscience

• Paleoclimatology• „Global Change“• Sealevel change

www.stratigraphy.org

Northern and central Europe: 3 Glacials with ice shields

Origin of names

-cene = new, remarkableHolo- = completePleisto- = mostPlio- = moreMio- = lessNeo- = new

The cliff section at Monte San Nicola (Sicily, Italy) hosts the GSSP ('golden spike') of the base of the Gelasian Stage.This GSSP now defines the base of the Quaternary and

Pleistocene.