Palaeogeographic reconstruction of the North Podlasie region in the Sokółka area during the Late Pleistocene (NE Poland)

Abstract

A new palaeogeographic reconstruction from the end of the Odranian Glaciation to the end of the Weichslian Glaciation (MIS 2) is based on research carried out at the Knyszewicze site, NE Poland, focusing on the dynamics of the Wartanian Glaciation (MIS 6) and showing the lobed nature of this ice sheet. Reconstruction of deglaciation in the research area was supplemented by analysis of postglacial morpholineaments (MMA). Research carried out at the Jałówka site enabled reconstruction of the processes affecting lake processes during the Eemian (MIS 5e) Interglacial and transformation of this area during the Weichselian Glaciation. The results obtained indicated that the study area was not covered by Weichselian ice, the sediments formerly considered as glacial being slope-related and providing evidence of periglacial conditions. A new conceptual model for the evolution of this area is put forward, showing the polygenetic nature of the relief. The glacial landforms developed during the Warta Stadial and transformed during the Eemian Interglacial were further affected by periglacial processes, which significantly remodelled the relief.