The Development of the River Thames in Central London during the Flandrian

Abstract

Reconstruction of the pre-urban situation from historical sources and contour mapping of subsurface information demonstrate the existence of a system of eyots and channels within the flood-plain of the Thames in central London. Their formation is explained by predominantly northward migration of the Thames channel during the Flandrian. Analysis of the tributary drainage pattern allows a more precise description of the mechanics of migration and is used to calibrate the northward movement. Five chronological stages (Thames 1-5) are proposed, the position of the Thames and the tributary configuration described at each. Particular attention is paid to the formation of the anomalous Isle of Dogs meander in East London. The succession of events is examined in more detail using the examples of the rivers Tyburn and Fleet for which more historical data are available than other tributaries. Dating flood-plain deposits is discussed and a chronology, derived from Flandrian eustatic change in the Thames estuary, applied to main stream migration in central London. The case for unidirectional migration is debated and comments appended on the relative utility of urban areas for geomorphological investigation. Directions for future research are outlined.