Loess-paleosol sequences at the northern European loess belt in Germany: Examples from the Lower Rhine embayment and the northern foreland of the Harz Mountains

Abstract

In the northern part of Germany loess is distributed along the mountain front of the Central European MountainBelt as part of the northern European loess belt. Examples from two regions, the Lower Rhine Embayment and thenorthern foreland of the Harz Mountains, show, that the distribution of loess and the development of loess-paleosolsequences (LPS) are controlled by relief, tectonics, the distance to larger river system, and the distance to andthe occurrence of the Scandinavian ice sheet. Further, general climatic conditions have a strong influence on thedevelopment of LPS. The two key areas show different distinct patterns due to the more oceanic climate in thewest (Lower Rhine Embayment) versus the rather continental climate in the east (northern foreland of the HarzMountains). For both key areas new loess distribution maps are presented and key sections especially for the lastglacial cycle are compared and summarized.

Resources

• https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/EGU2016-1438.pdf

Bibliography

Lehmkuhl, F., Krauß, L., Zens, J. (2016): Loess-paleosol sequences at the northern European loess belt in Germany: Examples from the Lower Rhine embayment and the northern foreland of the Harz Mountains. EGU General Assembly 2016, 17.-22.4. 2016, Vienna, Austria