Continental palaeoenvironments during MIS 2 and 3 in southwestern France: the La Ferrassie rockshelter record
Journal:
Quaternary Science Reviews
Number:
Volume:
27
Year:
2008
Pages:
2048-2063
Keywords:
ISBN:
ISSN:
URL:
Abstract:
Reappraisal of La Ferrassie rockshelter sequence provides novel information on the continental palaeoenvironments in southwestern France during the end of Marine Isotope Stage 3 and the beginning of MIS 2. Cycles of sedimentation and soil development have been recognised, and are tentatively interpreted as reflecting the Dansgaard/Oeschger climatic cycles. From bottom to top, the sequence shows a trend to progressive reduction in length (and/or intensity) of the soil-forming periods and conversely, an increase in frost-related processes and sedimentation. Cambisols, associated with significant clay weathering and decalcification, developed at the base of the sequence (?35 to not, vert, similar30 14C kyr BP). They are then replaced by simple carbonate-rich humus horizons during the interval not, vert, similar 30 to not, vert, similar 28 14C kyr BP. At the beginning of MIS 2, the talus dynamics shifts from rockfall accumulation with intense snow-induced washing to stone-banked solifluction lobes in connection to a semi-desert-like periglacial environment.
