Correlation of Eemian sections in Lithuania and Belarus based on palaeomagnetic, radioisotope and palaeobotanic data

Abstract

Eemian (Murava, Merkinė deposits at five exposed sections (Zaslavl, Zhukevichi, Ponemun, Snaigupėlė, and Netiesos) located in Lithuania and Belarus are described. Preliminary palaeomagnetic results show a record of the Brunhes epoch normal magnetic field and a short-term reversal – the Blake Event – is recognized in three of the five sections. The Blake Event recorded in the Netiesos section is characterized by a pattern consisting of three short reversed polarity intervals separated by two short normal polarity intervals. The directional changes of declination, inclination, and MS (magnetic susceptibility) are clear. ESR dating (112.5 ±10.8 and 112.1 ±25.9) and 230Th/U dates obtained from this section (108.8 ±12.0/9.9 ka for the L/L technique and 100.2 ±10.3/8.6 ka for the TSD technique) suggest that (Blake and post-Blake) palaeomagnetic excursions are present in this section. Palaeobotanical analysis and isotope dating of the Netiesos section suggest that the Blake Event occurred during the climatic optimum.