Sandy fan‐like forms in the central‐eastern mazovian lowland (central poland): textural record and chronology

Abstract

A unique, continuous, fan‐shaped belt of sandy landforms in the central‐eastern Mazovian Lowland, Central Poland has been investigated using a multiproxy dataset of sediment physical properties and chronological framework. Although there are several previous studies of similar fan‐like forms elsewhere in Central Poland, this central‐eastern part has not been investigated in detail. A combined methodological approach, using grain‐size distributions, the roundness, surface character and microtexture of quartz grains, and the mineral composition of the light and heavy fractions, indicate a predominantly aeolian origin for the fan‐like forms. Overlying them are dunes, the sediment within which is derived mainly from the fan‐like forms.Two main aeolian phases are distinguished based on luminescence ages: (1) between around 15 and 16 ka, possibly correlated with the Pomeranian Phase of the last (Vistulian) glaciation in Poland, and representing a phase with a poorly recorded deflation event; and (2) around 12 ka, associated with the Younger Dryas onset, when fresh, non‐aeolian material was delivered to the system. Overall, the palaeoenvironmental pattern of the fan‐like forms is controlled by the Upper Pleistocene aeolian trends.