High-resolution paleoenvironmental context for human occupations during the Middle Pleistocene in Europe (MIS 11, Germany)

2018 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Rivals ◽  
Reinhard Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Middle Pleistocene

scholarly journals Dominant Role of Sea Level on the Sedimentary Environmental Evolution in the Bohai and Yellow Seas Over the Last 1 Million Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefa Shi ◽  
Zhengquan Yao ◽  
Jianxing Liu ◽  
Shuqing Qiao ◽  
Yanguang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Yellow Sea ◽  
Bohai Sea ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Sedimentary Environment ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Southern Yellow Sea ◽  
Sea Level Fluctuations ◽  
The Southern Yellow Sea

Transgression and regression deposits from the shallow continental margin provide information on orbital-scale variations in sea level, climate change, and local tectonics. In this study, we conduct a high-resolution chronological and sedimentological analysis of a 125-m core (NHH01) drilled in the southern Yellow Sea. We developed a high-resolution age model at the orbital timescale over the last ∼1 Myr by the astronomical tuning of the sediment grain size. Sedimentological analysis and environmental proxies reveal that the study area is characterized by cyclic alternations of neritic and littoral/fluvial deposits controlled by glacial–interglacial sea-level changes. These results confirm the earlier assumption that sea-level fluctuations play a dominant role in the sedimentary architecture of the southern Yellow Sea. Moreover, only low-frequency sea-level fluctuations (∼100 kyr) were preserved in the NHH01 sequence; however, additional high-frequency (∼40 kyr) sea-level variations were also present in the sediments of the shallower Bohai Sea. Despite the large spatial difference, this finding implies that the sedimentary environment in the eastern marginal seas of China had been influenced by the sea level as a whole over the last 1 Myr. The comparison of the sedimentary environment with other cores from the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and coastal region, as well as records from Indonesia and Japan, reveals that a consistent initiation of large-scale marine transgression occurred at ∼0.8–1 Ma. This phenomenon was likely caused by the long duration of glacio-eustatic high sea-level stands following the Middle Pleistocene transition, which is characterized by a shift in glacial cycles from 40 to 100 kyr.

High-resolution seismic geomorphology and stratigraphy of a tunnel valley confined ice-margin fan (Elsterian glaciation, Southern North Sea)

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. T461-T483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Benvenuti ◽  
Andrea Moscariello
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Southern North Sea

The deep Middle Pleistocene subglacial incisions of the Southern North Sea (SNS) are commonly infilled by northward gently dipping clinoforms oriented toward the former ice-sheet core. We have focused on the terminal sector of the largest tunnel valley (TV) of the SNS and offer the first high-resolution reconstruction of the geomorphology and stratigraphy of the infill of the glacial incision, as well as the detailed geomorphology of the incision to better understand the genetic mechanisms of these uncommon but peculiar large-scale (up to 13 km in length) bedforms. For this study, high-resolution 3D seismic data, the grain-size distribution from ditch cutting samples, and the gamma-ray wireline log of borehole K14-12 are used. The TV formed in the subglacial environment by steady state flows in a time-transgressive fashion. Meltwater flow transports the eroded material southward and eventually deposits it at the ice-sheet margin, in the lightly grounded ice-sheet environment where the adverse slope forces the flow to wane. The process results in an elongated ice-margin fan made of clinoforms, whose grain-size distribution fines progressively southward, in the downstream direction. The formation and filling of the TV occurred during the retreat of the ice-sheet margin and cyclic fluctuations of the meltwater mass flow rate, which affected the internal stratigraphy and created an undulated top of the clinoforms’ unit. Sparsely distributed, horizontally layered units interpreted as distal proglacial lacustrine deposits filled depressions on the top of the clinoforms-bearing unit. The sequence was then sealed by a chaotic seismic-stratigraphic unit that probably belongs to postglacial times. The ice-sheet-oriented clinoforms were thus formed by sustained meltwater flow resulting from large-size Scandinavian and British convergent ice sheet flows in the freshwater environment of SNS developed between the complex ice margins and the topographic highs inherited from continental Europe.

Long-term talus flatirons formation in the hyperarid northeastern Negev, Israel

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronen Boroda ◽  
Ari Matmon ◽  
Rivka Amit ◽  
Itai Haviv ◽  
Naomi Porat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Negev Desert ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Depth Profiles ◽  
Transport Distance ◽  
Talus Slopes ◽  
Cliff Retreat

AbstractColluvial sediments of talus relicts (“talus flatirons”) around mesas preserve a record that sheds light on slope-forming processes at temporal scales > 103 yr. The sedimentology and soil stratigraphy of two groups of talus flatirons in the northeastern hyperarid Negev desert reveal four deposition events in the younger talus and at least two in the older one. Numerical modeling of high-resolution 10Be depth profiles suggests that these taluses were deposited during the middle Pleistocene; the younger talus group first depositional event occurred at 551 − 142+ 80 ka and its abandonment occurred at 270 − 38+ 17 ka. The abandonment of the older talus group and stabilization of its surface occurred at 497 − 114+ 176 ka. These ages indicate that the development of the studied talus sequence is not specifically associated with Pleistocene glacial–interglacial cycles. The 10Be modeled concentrations indicate significant differences in the average inheritance of talus flatirons of different groups. These differences can be attributed to variability in the transport distance and duration of gravel exposure during transport but could also reflect some temporal variability in cliff retreat. Our results also demonstrate that talus slopes in hyperarid areas, despite their steepness, can store sediment for long periods (~ 500 ka) and thus constitute a valuable archive.

High resolution stratigraphy across the early–middle Pleistocene boundary from a core of the Kokumoto Formation at Tabuchi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

2016 ◽  
Vol 397 ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayuki Hyodo ◽  
Shigehiro Katoh ◽  
Akihisa Kitamura ◽  
Kenta Takasaki ◽  
Hayato Matsushita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Chiba Prefecture

High-resolution diatom record of paleoceanographic variations across the Early–Middle Pleistocene boundary in the Chiba Section, central Japan

2017 ◽  
Vol 455 ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikuko Tanaka ◽  
Masayuki Hyodo ◽  
Yusuke Ueno ◽  
Ikuko Kitaba ◽  
Hiroshi Sato
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Central Japan

scholarly journals High-resolution UAV map reveals erosional patterns and changing topography at Isimila, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kersten Bergstrom ◽  
Austin B. Lawrence ◽  
Alex J. Pelissero ◽  
Lauren J. Hammond ◽  
Eliwasa Maro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Material Transport ◽  
Geological Features ◽  
High Resolution Map ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Isimila is a Middle Pleistocene archaeological site located in southern Tanzania. The site is known for large surface assemblages of later Acheulean lithics such as hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, and cores. While hominin remains have yet to be discovered at the site, Isimila offers a unique window into Middle Pleistocene Homo behavior. Although Isimila has been studied extensively, the last published map of the site and surrounding area was made available in the 1970s. Here, we present an updated high-resolution map of Isimila. Data for the map were collected during aerial survey with an uncrewed/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). With this map, we identify new archaeological localities, erosional patterns, newly exposed geological features, and changes in site topography. The map reveals patterns of stone tool and raw material distribution that may support previous hypotheses of raw material transport into the area by hominins. This open-access map establishes a baseline for tracking changes to site topography in the future and serves as a unique tool to enable collaboration between researchers, museum personnel, and local populations to better conserve Isimila.

scholarly journals Unraveling the shallow geology of the western Wadden Sea using high resolution seismics

2012 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.F. Paap ◽  
C.W. Dubelaar ◽  
J.L. Gunnink ◽  
A.P. Oost
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Wadden Sea ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Hydrogeological Model ◽  
Geological Interpretation ◽  
Shallow Subsurface

AbstractModelling of the shallow subsurface of the Dutch Wadden Sea is merely based on lithological information extracted from a limited amount of core samples. In order to improve the subsurface model and to provide a better basis for engineering purposes, seismic data have recently been acquired, processed and interpreted. This study focuses on the interpretation of seismic data in a pilot area in the southwestern part of the Dutch Wadden Sea near the Afsluitdijk. In order to acquire a maximum detail of subsurface information in a time-efficient way, multiple types of seismic systems were deployed simultaneously in a ‘one-sweep-survey’, providing information over depth ranges up to 60 m subsurface depth. Data from three seismic systems are presented; a chirp system, a boomer and sparker source in combination with hydrophone streamers. Geological interpretation of the seismic data was made by identifying seismic facies units and subsequently correlating them to geological cross-sections, running parallel to the Afsluitdijk. Geological cross-sections were derived from the existing geological and hydrogeological model and from relatively densely spaced borehole information. Six key reflectors were identified on the seismic data along the Dutch Afsluitdijk that make up four seismic facies units. Results of seismic profiles show good recognition of internal structures in especially Holocene sediments. A clay plug and a shallowing of a channel at the eastern side of the pilot area were interpreted as channel infills resulting from the rather sudden dominance by newer tidal channels to the west, probably coinciding with the opening of the Marsdiep channel. The channel wall deposits observed were interpreted as a turning of the drainage channel after closure of the IJsselmeer. Strong reflections of deeper levels (>15 m below Dutch vertical datum, i.e. N.A.P.) were interpreted as clay/sand interfaces in the Middle-Pleistocene Urk Formation and were more continuous than previously thought. It is concluded that high resolution seismics add valuable information yielding improved understanding of the sedimentary structure of the shallow subsurface, which in turn can be useful for near future engineering works along the Afsluitdijk.

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