Effects of Holocene changes of sea-level on the hydrological regime of NW Europe (Les conséquences des variations du niveau de la mer sur le régime hydrologique du nord-ouest de l'Europe)

Abstract

The rapid global rise of sea level that occurred c. 8400 to 5500 B.P. affected in different degree the hydrological environments of southern and northern areas of north-western Europe, although almost everywhere it produced a rise both in the base levels of rivers and in the levels of the water tables along the seaboards. In the Bristol Channel area, pre-existing river valleys were flooded progressively by marine waters rising to approximately the position of present sea level. In the Netherlands, a wide area of the seaboard was inundated and a backswamp area was formed. At the boundary of the backswamp area and the inland ground surface, numerous springs were generated which initiated a local drainage system that led indirectly to peat formation. In the Forth Valley (SE Scotland) net drops of relative sea level during the early part of the Holocene epoch produced a series of terraces related to the falling base level of the River Forth and its tributaries. Between 8400 and 5500 B.P. , rising sea level raised both fluvial base levels and the local ground water table, leading to burial of the early Holocene terraces Since 5,500 B P , fluvial incision has occurred.