Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium
Large‐scale polygonal crop marks underlain by sand‐filled wedge structures cover extensive surfaces on the West Flanders plateau (Flanders, Belgium). Wedge structures (∼1.0 m wide, up to ≥1.6 m deep) observed at several sites are interpreted as composite‐wedge pseudomorphs, formed by thermal contrac...
Published in: | Permafrost and Periglacial Processes |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 |
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ftrepec:oai:RePEc:wly:perpro:v:17:y:2006:i:2:p:145-161 2023-05-15T16:37:21+02:00 Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium Gunther Ghysels Irenée Heyse https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 article ftrepec https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 2020-12-04T13:31:25Z Large‐scale polygonal crop marks underlain by sand‐filled wedge structures cover extensive surfaces on the West Flanders plateau (Flanders, Belgium). Wedge structures (∼1.0 m wide, up to ≥1.6 m deep) observed at several sites are interpreted as composite‐wedge pseudomorphs, formed by thermal contraction cracking in a permafrost environment. The composite infilling points to former relatively dry conditions on the plateaus. Superimposed wedge structures may indicate discrete growth stages. The structures probably formed during the Pleniglacial (comprising Marine Isotope Stages 2–4), although an older age is not excluded. The widespread occurrence of composite‐wedge pseudomorphs on the plateaus conflicts with the literature suggesting that ice‐wedge pseudomorphs are dominant in Flanders. As a consequence, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions may have been biased towards environmental conditions suitable for ice‐wedge formation. Ice wedges probably formed mainly in depressions, whereas composite wedges may have been common on the plateaus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ice permafrost wedge* RePEc (Research Papers in Economics) Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 17 2 145 161 |
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Open Polar |
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RePEc (Research Papers in Economics) |
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ftrepec |
language |
unknown |
description |
Large‐scale polygonal crop marks underlain by sand‐filled wedge structures cover extensive surfaces on the West Flanders plateau (Flanders, Belgium). Wedge structures (∼1.0 m wide, up to ≥1.6 m deep) observed at several sites are interpreted as composite‐wedge pseudomorphs, formed by thermal contraction cracking in a permafrost environment. The composite infilling points to former relatively dry conditions on the plateaus. Superimposed wedge structures may indicate discrete growth stages. The structures probably formed during the Pleniglacial (comprising Marine Isotope Stages 2–4), although an older age is not excluded. The widespread occurrence of composite‐wedge pseudomorphs on the plateaus conflicts with the literature suggesting that ice‐wedge pseudomorphs are dominant in Flanders. As a consequence, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions may have been biased towards environmental conditions suitable for ice‐wedge formation. Ice wedges probably formed mainly in depressions, whereas composite wedges may have been common on the plateaus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Gunther Ghysels Irenée Heyse |
spellingShingle |
Gunther Ghysels Irenée Heyse Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
author_facet |
Gunther Ghysels Irenée Heyse |
author_sort |
Gunther Ghysels |
title |
Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
title_short |
Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
title_full |
Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
title_fullStr |
Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
title_full_unstemmed |
Composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in Flanders, Belgium |
title_sort |
composite‐wedge pseudomorphs in flanders, belgium |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 |
genre |
Ice permafrost wedge* |
genre_facet |
Ice permafrost wedge* |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.552 |
container_title |
Permafrost and Periglacial Processes |
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17 |
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2 |
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145 |
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161 |
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1766027641836535808 |