Fluvial–lacustrine interaction on Skeiðarársandur, Iceland: implications for sandur evolution

Abstract

Abstract A complex assemblage of fluvial and lacustrine sediments is identified in a major section through proglacial sediments on Skeiðararsandur, south Iceland. High magnitude–low frequency events are identified in both the fluvial and lacustrine sediments. However, much of the sedimentary succession is composed of ‘normal’ low magnitude–high frequency sediments. Retreat of Skeiðararjokull following a surge event created a topographic basin occupied at various times by both fluvial and lacustrine depositional systems and also subjected to a high magnitude jokulhlaup. Previous studies have examined the processes and events occurring on Skeiðararjokull in isolation. This paper improves the understanding of the way in which processes with varying magnitude and frequency regimes interact and contribute to the sedimentary record of proglacial environments.