Ventifacts – means to reconstruct glacial development and palaeo-environment in northern and central Sweden

Abstract

Ventifacts occur frequently in extensive areas in northern and central Sweden. They arose during severe periglacial conditions in the Weichselian Tärendö interstadial and their presence indicates that the latest ice sheet was incapable of reshaping earlier deposits or even significantly after the interstadial ground surface in these areas. Accordingly, the ventifacts not only witness to harsh climatic conditions during part of the Tärendö interstadial but also reflect the limited erosional capacity of the latest ice sheet. Their significance as stratigraphic markers and means in the search for pre-Late Weichselian organic sediments, serving as archives for past climate and environment, is emphasized.

Key Words:

• ventifacts
• wind abrasion
• periglacial
• Tärendö Interstadial
• palaeo-environment
• stratigraphic markers