A preliminary report on late Devensian and early Flandrian deposits on the coast at Carnlough, County Antrim

Authors

  • D. B. Prior Queen's University, Belfast
  • S. M. Holland Queen's University, Belfast
  • M. M. Cruickshank Queen's University, Belfast

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1981.780

Abstract

A sequence of deposits, which includes two peat layers, is exposed infrequently by erosion of the overlying beach sand on the foreshore at Carnlough, Co. Antrim. Examination of the stratigraphy, with outline pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating, indicates they arc of Late Devensian and Early Flandrian age. Coring revealed that the peat layers arc separated from underlying glacial till by several metres of inorganic deposits. Preliminary work suggests that these include marine beach deposits, underlain by fluvio-glacial laminated silts and clays.

The upper part of the sequence (including the peat layers) resembles that at Roddan's Port, Co. Down but the lower horizons contrast with the red marine clay at that site, though may be equivalent in age. Preliminary results support previous interpretations of two marine transgressions — Late Devensian and Flandrian — in north-east Ireland. This paper records the existence of the site until detailed work can be done to explain its history and significance more fully.

Author Biographies

D. B. Prior, Queen's University, Belfast

Department of Geography

S. M. Holland, Queen's University, Belfast

Department of Geography

M. M. Cruickshank, Queen's University, Belfast

Department of Geography

Published

2016-12-22

How to Cite

Prior, D. B., Holland, S. M., & Cruickshank, M. M. (2016). A preliminary report on late Devensian and early Flandrian deposits on the coast at Carnlough, County Antrim. Irish Geography, 14(1), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1981.780

Issue

Section

Original Articles

URN