Sedimentological and lithostratigraphical investigations in the gravel pit "Hinterste Mühle" at Neubrandenburg, northeastern Germany

Abstract: The investigated gravel-pit lies in the hinterland of the Pomeranian end-moraine zone. The structures in the sediment are strongly influenced during the glacier's recession. Especia11y the margins of the pit show strong deformation. Until now the sediments have been interpreted as subglacial tunnel deposits. Moreover the whole sequence is considered to be discontinuous. It has been suggested that Weichsel-2, Saale-2 and possibly Weichsel-l diamicton should occur in the outcrops. Several organic layers have earlier been identified as Eemian peats, which should divide the Weichselian from the Saalian diamicton. According to this study the sediments in the southwestern part of the pit represents a continuous sedimentacy sequence, laid down during the disintegration of stagnant ice of the Pomeranian stage. The sediments consist of interbedded diamictons and fluvial sands. The diamicton beds are interpreted as flow tills, deposited in troughs parallel to the stagnant ice margin. Thus the stacked diamicton beds does not represent several glacier advances or oscillations, as previously suggested. Since the Quarternary stratigraphy in northeastern Germany is based on borings, it has possibly to be controlled by lithostratigraphical and sedimentological principles.