Abstract
Abstract The Brazilian Pantanal wetlands comprise some of the largest Quaternary megafans in South America. The origin of these megafans has been linked to climate changes during the Late Quaternary. This study focuses on the Cuiaba megafan, the second largest megafan of the Pantanal, which has not been studied from the perspective of its basic geomorphology, river channel patterns and sediment deposition ages. Analysis of the channel and floodplain morphology as well as optically stimulated luminescence dating enable us to establish the succession of events that built up the Cuiaba megafan since the last glacial period. Abandoned lobes indicate that a phase of fan aggradation occurred between 48 and 19 ka, with a network of distributary paleochannels suggesting that there was relatively low precipitation and reduced vegetation cover. Subsequently, abrupt changes in discharge and sediment supply triggered the channel incision of the upper fan valley, indicating a degradational phase after the Last Glacial Maximum (
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
