FLUVIAL CONDITIONS DURING THE HOLOCENE AS EVIDENCED BY ALLUVIAL SEDIMENTS FROM ABOVE HOWISON'S POORT, NEAR GRAHAMSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY

Mapping and analyses of alluvial sediments in the Berg River valley, near Grahamstown, has resulted in the identification of over 5 000 years of environmental stability in the early Holocene, in which flood plain sediments accumulated. Subsequent to 4390±90 BP environmental instability, probably due to climatic fluctuations, resulted in the formation of river terraces. Further research is needed to establish the areal limits of this sequence of Holocene climatic and environmental events

Key Words:

• South Africa
• river terraces
• alluvial sediments
• Holocene
• climatic change