Holocene sea-level variation and spit development: data from Skagen Odde, Denmark

• Published in: Holocene (Sevenoaks) Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 323 - 331
• Main Authors: Clemmensen, Lars B., Richardt, Niels, Andersen, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.05.2001; Turpin; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Environmental studies; Geology and climatology; Marine; Methodology and general studies; Prehistory and protohistory; Denmark; Europe; Deniltark; Holoceite; Sea-level variation; ridge-anid-swale comiplex; isostasy; spit clevelopinent; Hydrology; Geomorphology; Radiocarbon; Geology; Topography Distribution; Excavation; Variation; Dating; Holocene; Age of rocks
• ISSN: 0959-6836; 1477-0911
• DOI: 10.1191/095968301667877044

Extensivxe exposures of peat located in initer-ridge swales, at the contact between beach anid oxerlyiing coastal dune deposits at Skagen Odde. northern Denmark, provide a record of spit development in relation to glacioisostatic rebound and sea-level variation. The elevationi of the base of the swale peats was measured over a distanlce of l5 kmni anid rcpresenits spit gosowth bet-Necen '6000 and 1400 cal. veairs BP. Tlle swale pealts fall from 13-14 m a.s.l. in the south (proximiial part) to 3-4 m a.s.l. in the north (distal part) reflecting the inifluenice of 'ostatic rebounid diting spit gTowsth. The nesw data suggest that isostatic rebound progressively declined with time fromi c. 3 mm yr' to c. 1.5 mm yr'. Superimposed on the isostatic controlled changes are smaller-scale fluctations in peat elevation related to eustatic sea-level changes. Sea-level higlhstands ae iden1 t ified at 5450 (+2.7 in). 4700 (+1.7 m) and 2450 cal. years BP (+0.4 m). anid lowstands at 5200 (+1.5 m). 4100 (-1.9 mn) anid 1650i cal. years B3 (40.6 m). A final comilponiient th at contributes to variatiotis in peat lexattion is local topoarcapiv and at a few places pcat drapes across stiaal icoli clidns. Tlin agc nilO indicates eat the spit-groxthi tiate varied betwveen 2 anid moi-e tlhani 10 mi sr-'. Thlse variations in growtlh rate may patily t-ecord sea level controlled fluctationis in the supply of sanid fromi erodini;g clifts onl the west coast of niorthern Juitlarid.