The sedimentary record and rates of Quaternary vertical tectonic movements in NW Poland

Analysis based on drilling, lithostratigraphic, geophysical and geodetic data showed that the spatial differentiation pattern of the Pleistocene cover displays a direct connection with the structural pattern of the Permo-Mesozoic complex. The main features of the Pleistocene cover, such as the thickness, stratigraphic section, facies variability and the shape of the sub-Quaternary surface, are adapted to the distribution of local Permo-Mesozoic tectonic elements, salt tectonic folds, grabens and singular blocks. This is expressed by a reduction in the thickness and stratigraphic section of Pleistocene sediments overlying uplifted tectonic elements, in relation to those which were lowered. Facies variability within the Pleistocene complex is in many places connected with the location of salt tectonic folds, and this connection is manifested by the gradual disappearance of water-laid series over salt anticlines. The most intensive, isostatically driven, vertical displacements occurred during the Cromerian, Holsteinian and Eemian interglacial periods. Transformation of repeated levelling data allowed the velocity of recent vertical displacements between examined tectonic elements to be estimated at 0.3-2.0mm/yr, and this is comparable to the velocity of Pleistocene movements. The Pleistocene displacements between tectonic elements exerted a decisive influence on the development of their glaciogenic sedimentary cover. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.