Glacial varves at the distal slope of Pandivere-Neva ice-recessional formations in western Estonia

Abstract

The distribution and varve thickness data of Late Weichselian varved clay were analyzed to describe the proglacial sedimentary environment, ice recession and water-level changes in the Baltic Ice Lake at the distal position of Pandivere–Neva (13.5–13.1 ka BP) icerecessional formations in western Estonia. According to vertical changes in natural water content, fabric and varve thickness, four clay units were distinguished, reflecting a change in the sedimentary environment from ice-proximal to distal conditions. The varved clay complex is locally interrupted by a massive silty-clay unit, interpreted as an icedrift material during the stagnation of the glacier margin at the Pandivere–Neva line. Varve correlation gave a 294-year-long floating varve chronology. According to total varve thickness and the relation between thicknesses of seasonal layers, an about 130year period of ice-proximal conditions in the study area was followed by a rapid (within ca 20 years) change to more distal conditions. The presented varve chronology does not cover the entire period of proglacial conditions in the area, as all studied clay sections displayed an erosional discontinuity at the upper contact. In total, ca 4 m of selective post-sedimentary erosion of clay is attributed to wave erosion due to a water-level drop after the final drainage of the Baltic Ice Lake. It is concluded that the Yoldia Sea minimum level in the Pärnu area was 0 to –2 m a.s.l.