Assessing Late Pleistocene and Holocene phases of aeolian activity on the Nyírség alluvial fan, Hungary

Abstract

There have been several studies addressing the timing and extension of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Aeolian activity in the Nyírség, the former alluvial fan of the Tisza River. Some of these already applied numerical dating techniques, however usually focused on one dune form or one site. This paper is an attempt on the one hand to review former age data and on the other hand to add new data from various sites to the landform evolution of the second largest sand dune area of the Carpathian Basin.The paper focuses on the Late Pleistocene–Holocene landform evolution of the second largest sand dune area of Hungary (Nyírség). Recent age data were obtained from investigations applying several methods (radiocarbon, OSL and palynological examinations) in order to determine the periods of sand movement and paleosoil formation in the area more accurately.According to the results, six sand movement periods can be identified during the Late Glacial and Holocen (Oldest Dryas, Younger Dryas, Preboreal Phase, Boreal Phase, Atlantic Phase, Subatlantic Phase).In between periods with intensive aeolian activity paleosoil formation occurred in the Bølling-Allerød Interstadial and in the Preboreal and Subatlantic Phases.