Deposits of southward-flowing, pleistocene rivers in the channel region, near Wissant, NW France
Abstract In the Calais region near Wissant, a well-known series of Pleistocene deposits has been restudied with particular emphasis on the sedimentary structures. Three lithologic units have been distinguished, i.e. from base to top: fluviatile red and brown gravels, probably deposited during a glacial stage; green clays and sands, deposited during a high water-table (interglacial stage?); and fluviatile yellow gravelly sands, deposited during a glacial stage. Palaeocurrents were southward-flowing. A discussion concerning the age of the deposits (Mindel and/or Riss), their southward continuation and their relationship to neighbouring Pleistocene deposits is given. An overflow-outlet of an ice-dammed lake in the North Sea is postulated to explain the origin of the rivers.