Origin and transformation of morainic landscape in NW part of Lubawa Upland Origin and transformation of morainic landscape in NW part of Lubawa Upland

The paper presents the investigation results concerning the origin and transformation of the morainic landscape in the northwest part of Lubawa Upland. Detailed sedimentological studies of the sediments within the morainic hill in Rożental and the reconstruction of their depositional and deformational processes are presented. We proposed a model of landscape formation and transformation in examined area. The reconstruction of the palaeogeographical conditions which have been prevailed during the late Pleistocene is also proposed. Collected data show that morainic landscape in the northwestern part of Lubawa Upland reveal landforms of an older origin. It is suggested that relief of examined area consist some features of "palimpsest landscape". The older glacial landforms, formed before the last ice advance, can exist here

Palimpsest terminal moraines in NW part of Lubawa Upland : structure and mechanisms of formation

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań litofacjalnych i strukturalnych osadów budujących przetrwałe moreny czołowe na NW skłonie Garbu Lubawskiego. Uzyskane rezultaty wskazują na złożoną genezę badanych wzgórz oraz na wyraźne cechy świadczące o ich przetrwałości. Zaproponowano modele genetyczne dla analizowanych form, prezentujące główne etapy ich formowania oraz mechanizmy sprzyjające ich zachowaniu w strefie subglacjalnej. Analiza budowy badanych form sugeruje ich „palimpsestowy” charakter oraz możliwy wpływ wieloletniej zmarzliny na procesy przetrwania wzgórz pod ostatnim lądolodem skandynawskim.This article presents the results of lithofacies and structural studies of deposits in the palimpsest terminal moraines on the NW slope of Lubawa Upland. The results document a complex origin of these hills and some distinct features suggesting their palimpsest nature. We propose genetic models highlighting the main stages of their formation as well as the mechanisms of their preservation in the subglacial system. The inner structure of the hills suggests a crucial role of permafrost in preservation protecting the hills from erosion under the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet

Erratic boulders of the Trójmiejski Landscape Park : potential for research and geotourism

The paper presents the results of erratic boulders studies in the area of Trójmiejski Landscape Park (TLP) located west of the Gulf of Gdañsk. The research objects were boulders protected as natural monuments (66 erratics) and all boulders with long axis ³ 50 cm within two testing areas (1100 erratics). Results show that erratics of the TLP often occur in clusters and their spatial density is even near 300 items/km2 in some areas. The authors selected 44 boulders which may be interesting research objects and/or have high values for geotourism. Nine erratics reveal features potentially suitable for the terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) dating. Moreover, high number of boulders in the TLP area gives the possibility for investigations of the directions of glacial paleo-transport based on indicator erratics and analysis of glacial striae. Distinctive zones of significant clusters of boulders characterised by high attractiveness and diversified values were also indicated

Holocene development and anthropogenic disturbance of a shallow lake system in Central Ireland recorded by diatoms

Three cores from two connected lakes in Central Ireland (Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough) were investigated using diatom analysis to establish the Holocene development of the lacustrine system, any local variations within the lakes and any anthropogenic influences. The study area was situated in a lowland location and the lakes were shallow, unstratified and interconnected. Litho-and bio-stratigraphical analyses of the lake cores and deposits beneath a mire separating the two lakes showed the changing spatial configuration of the lake system in the early Holocene and the separation of the initial lake into three basins (cf. lacustrine cells) and finally into two interlinked lakes. The evolution of the lake system is conceptualised as the development of distinct lacustrine cells, and its sediments have recorded changes in the physical (geography, depth and sedimentation) and chemical (water chemistry) properties of the lakes inferred through diatom analyses. The longest sequence, from the early Holocene, records fluctuating lake levels and these are correlated with geomorphological mapping and surveying of palaeoshorelines. The diatom assemblages of the upper 2 m of the three cores, covering approximately the last 2000–3000 radiocarbon years show considerable difference in trophic status and life-form categories. This is related to the location of the cores in the lake and also the distance from human settlement with particular reference to proximity to crannog (artificial island) construction and use. The most central core from the deepest part of Lough Kinale has the least representation of the human settlement and agricultural activity in the catchment and on the fringes of the lake, whereas the core taken from the edge of a crannog is able to identify when construction and use of the crannog occurred. The local nature of the palaeoecological response to human activity due to incomplete water mixing has the advantage of allowing the lake sediment cores to be used to determine spatially discrete settlement patterns