Late Quaternary depositional history of the Reuss delta, Switzerland: constraints from high-resolution seismic reflection and georadar surveys

Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
2002
Journal Title: 
Journal of Quaternary Science
Journal Date: 
Feb
Volume: 
17
Issue: 
2
Pages: 
131-143
ISBN Number: 
0267-8179
Accession Number: 
ISI:000174804800003
Abstract: 

Glacial erosion has caused overdeepening of many alpine valleys. After retreat of the ice, they were filled with heterogeneous deposits of glacial, lacustrine and fluvial sediments. A typical example of such a valley segment and its infill is the Reuss delta on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. To obtain a detailed three-dimensional image of this valley segment, the ETH Institute of Geophysics has acquired several two-dimensional, high-resolution seismic and georadar profiles, and conducted a three-dimensional georadar survey. Interpretations of these geophysical data were constrained by a geological core extracted from a borehole 300 m deep near the investigation site. The seismic profiles imaged ca. 600 m of sediment infill above bedrock. Based on their reflection characteristics, five different deposition units were distinguished. These units were interpreted as a succession of clay/silt at the base, followed by different sand units with variable but generally increasing amounts of gravel. This succession represented a prograding delta that filled the southern part of Lake Lucerne. The latest fluvial development of the region is best represented by the georadar data. In particular, the three-dimensional georadar data set provides a detailed view of an ancient braided river channel Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Notes: 

538FPTimes Cited:1Cited References Count:24

DOI: 
Doi 10.1002/Jqs.645