Glacial deposits

Description

Sediment sequences deposited under glacial conditions during the Pleistocene period cover some 10% of the earth's land surface. This program concentrates on the interpretation of a sediment sequence exposed in a river cliff cut by the River Severn in England. Techniques of sampling and analysis are illustrated, with emphasis on the measurement of particle size and of particle dip and orientation. This analysis suggests that the deposits were laid down during a period of glacial retreat. The land forms produced by a more recently-retreating glacier in Switzerland are studied, the vegetation analyzed, and three simple measures are used to distinguish between morainal material, outwash deposits, and lake sediments.

Runtime

20 min

Series

Subjects

Genre

Date of Publication

[2009], c1982

Database

Films on Demand

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