Earth’s Cryosphere, 2012, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 29-38

THE PLEISTOCENE–HOLOCENE TRANSITION (AT 10 KA BP) AS THE TIME OF RADICAL CHANGES OF TYPICAL GEOCRYOLOGICAL FORMATIONS

Yu.K.Vasil’chuk

Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Leninskie Gory, 1, Russia; vasilch@geol.msu.ru, vasilch_geo@mail.ru

Geocryologic situation had changed radically at the Pleistocene–Holocene turn about 10 ka BP. This had led to the replacement of typical geocryologic formations. Accumulation of the Late Pleistocene syncryogenic formation “edoma” had been completed, and intense accumulation of Holocene syncryogenic formation began on the vast areas of North Eurasia and North America. Cryolithologic indicators have been the most reliable criteria for the Pleistocene–Holocene differentiation in permafrost. Edoma sediments with large syngenetic ice wedges and massive ice in salty ground have been the cryolithologic indicators specific exclusively for the Late Pleistocene. Cryolithologic indicators of Holocene are Holocene ice wedges, palsas and pingos. They have not been found in the Pleistocene.

Key words: Pleistocene, Holocene, edoma, massive ice, ice wedges, pingo, palsa.