Stratigraphie, Klima- und Umweltentwicklung der letzten 400 000 Jahre im Saalegebiet und Harzvorland (Forschungsstand 2006)

Abstract

Mania, D.: Stratigraphy, development of climate and environment in the Saale region and the area north of the Harz (state of research 2006). – Hercynia N.F. 39 (2006): 155–194.At the time being, the glacial stratigraphy prevails in this region. It is based on the glacial series and on events geologically connected with them. It does n’t consider, or only very little, the sequences in the periglacial and their biology. But, these sequences can fill the gaps of the glacial stratigraphy existing since the Elster glaciation. Important sequences are the terrace-travertin sequence of Bilzingsleben, the interglacial-glacial basin sequence of Schöningen, the complex Quaternary from the Geisel valley and the cyclically divisioned basin sequence from the Aschersleben depression. The period of the Elster complex is present with two glacial cycles. The Holstein complex comprises four glacial-interglacial sequences. The first interglacial is apperently the Holstein s.str. The Saale complex follows with three glacial cycles additionnally subdivisioned. Two intra Saalian interglacials could be determined lying between them. The Eem interglacial exhibits two late interglacial oscillations leading into the main cycle of the Weichselian. With Eem and Holocene it comprises twently climatical small cycles with interstadials/intervalls and stadials. Fauna and flora of the interglacials and glacials and of the interstadials/ intervalls are described. Thus, the history of fauna and vegetation of the middle and younger Quaternary and the corresponding palaeoecology can be reconstructed. The most important Palaeolithic and palaeoanthropological sites are mentioned.