The Quaternary coversands of southwest France

• Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews
• Main Authors: Sitzia, Luca, Bertran, Pascal, Bahain, Jean-Jacques, Bateman, Mark D., Hernandez, Marion, Garon, Henri, Lafontaine, Guillaume, Mercier, Norbert, Leroyer, Chantal, Queffelec, Alain, Voinchet, Pierre
• Other Authors: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel : Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie (PACEA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Bordeaux (UB), Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (Inrap), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Histoire naturelle de l'Homme préhistorique (HNHP), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD), University of Sheffield Sheffield, Institut de Recherches sur les Archéomatériaux (IRAMAT), Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Bordeaux Montaigne-Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbeliard (UTBM), Université Laval Québec (ULaval), Centre de Recherche en Archéologie, Archéosciences, Histoire (CReAAH), Université de Rennes 1 (UR1), Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Rennes 2 (UR2), Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Nantes (UN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Ministère de la Culture (MC)-Le Mans Université (UM)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2015
• Subjects: Middle and Late Pleistocene; ESR; Coversand; Palaeosols; OSL; Southwest France; geo; envir; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.06.019; https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01201992/file/Sitzia-etal_2015.pdf; https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01201992

International audience Detailed stratigraphic analysis and numerical dating (OSL, IRSL, ESR, 14C) of Pleistocene coversands in southwest France enable the construction of a renewed chronostratigraphic framework for sand deposition. The chronological data obtained from sandsheet units testify to the development of transgressive dunefields since at least the Middle Pleistocene (MIS 10). Three main phases of accumulation occurred during the Last Glacial. The oldest one (64–42 ka) is associated with wet sandsheet facies, histic horizons and zibar-type dune fields, which reflect deposition in a context strongly influenced by the groundwater table. The Late Pleniglacial (24–14 ka) corresponds to the main phase of coversand extension in a drier context. Silty gley horizons suggest, however, local interruptions of sand drifting during GS 2.1. Lateglacial stabilization of the coversands may not have occurred before GI-1c (Allerød), which was typified by the development of cumulic arenosols. These were covered by parabolic dunes during the Younger Dryas. The variations in extent of the emerged continental shelf during the glacial–interglacial cycles may explain the uneven geographical distribution of sand deposition through time. Because of coastline retreat up to 100 km north of 45°N during the LGM lowstand, the coversands were unable to reach the northern part of the basin. Comparison with other European regions highlights stronger affinities of the French record with Portugal than with the Netherlands and Great Britain, probably because of reduced influence of permafrost