Young Pleistocene Slope Development on Glacial and Periglacial Eolian Sediments in Northwestern Saxony

Abstract

This paper investigates the formation and development of slopes in northwestern Saxony during the Younger Pleistocene. The author focuses on the transitional zone between the thick loess cover of the uplands and the thinner, coarser eolian sediments to the north. The study highlights the significant role of periglacial processes and discusses how slope degradation varied depending on the phase of the stadial. High rates of degradation are attributed to the early phases, while later phases were characterized by the deposition of eolian sediments. The paper notes that these sediments, including sand-loesses and wind-deposited sands, were subsequently redeposited, with the degree of redeposition influenced by climatic conditions and the local relief. The author also differentiates between the Holocene slope formation in loess regions and areas with sand-loess or eolian sands. The research concludes that a systematic approach to studying these sediments is necessary for accurate paleogeographic reconstructions.