Thames interglacial sites, Ipswichian sea levels and Antarctic ice surges

Abstract

Hollin, J. T. 1977 03 01: Thames interglacial sites, Ipswichian sea levels and Antarctic ice surges. Boreas, Vol. 6, pp. 33-52. Oslo. ISSN 0300-9483.New and old, pollen and other studies are summarized for seven sites in the Thames estuary, all of them most probably of last (Ipswichian) interglacial age. Early in the interglacial, at Crayford, Little Thurrock, and Purfleet, there was an aggradation of laminated (3 mm/pair) 'brickearth' (clay, with silt and sand), to above f l l m O.D. Observations in modern estuaries suggest that the laminations were of tidal origin, and related to a sea stand at +7 m, represented on the coast by e.g. the raised cliff at Brighton. In the middle of the Ipswichian, freshwater fossils at West Thurrock and Wretton (Norfolk) suggest that the sea fell below 0 m. Late in the Ipswichian, arguably at the break of climate, at Crayford, Ilford, Aveley, West Thurrock, Stutton (Suffolk) and probably Little Thurrock, there was an aggradation of massive brickearth (famous for its mammal remains) grading up into sand, to above $14 m. The possibility is discussed that this second aggradation reflects a second rise of sea level, to $16 m, represented by e.g. the raised beach at Portland, and caused by an Antarctic 'surge'. According to A. T. Wilson, this surge triggered the last (Devensian) ice age.

An enhanced record of MIS 9 environments, geochronology and geoarchaeology: data from construction of the High Speed 1 (London–Channel Tunnel) rail-link and other recent investigations at Purfleet, Essex, UK

“…The quality of preservation of the material from these samples is excellent, with fragile small-mammal postcranial bones (such as a complete microtine rodent humerus) and delicate bird bones present. In accordance with the results of previous investigations (Palmer, 1975;Snelling, 1975;Allen, 1977;Hollin, 1977;Holman and Clayden, 1988;Schreve, 1997;, fish were most abundantly represented, with smaller numbers of Soricidae sp. (indeterminate shrew), wood mouse, indeterminate vole, water vole, frog or toad (Rana or Bufo sp.…”

“…Early palaeontological studies at Purfleet (Hollin, 1971(Hollin, , 1977 emphasized palynological evidence, although this led to an interpretation of the sequence as representing the Ipswichian Stage, which is now regarded as erroneous (cf. .…”

“…Hollin's (1977) analysis showed dominance of Quercus and Pinus with abundant Alnus and Corylus and few herbs, interpreted as a wooded, temperate interglacial environment of suggested Ipswichian (Ip IIb) age. A single pollen sample from Greenlands Quarry examined by Holyoak (in Gibbard, 1994) showed less Alnus than in Hollin's analysis but with small frequencies of Carpinus and greater numbers of herbs (Poaceae).…”

Quaternary river terraces in England: Forms, sediments and processes

“…However, it is important to note that this material differs in origin from the laminated or massive fossiliferous "brickearths" which are of estuarine origin (cf. Hollin, 1977;Gibbard, 1994). In the Thames system the silt component is most commonly of loessic origin (Gibbard, 1985;Catt et al, 2006).…”

A Levallois Knapping Site at West Thurrock, Lower Thames, UK: its Quaternary Context, Environment and Age

“…Warren and Kennard amassed a small collection of worked flints from this site, which eventually found their way into the British Museum. Despite the importance of this lithic assemblage, no full description of the Lion Pit site was ever published and, with the exception of work by Hollin (1977), it was largely overlooked for several decades, greater attention being given to other Levallois sites in the Lower Thames at Northfleet (Smith 1911;1923;Burchell 1933;Dewey 1932), Crayford (Kennard 1944;Wymer 1968;Roe 1981), and Purfleet (Wymer 1968(Wymer , 1985Palmer 1975;Hollin 1977).…”