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Probability of moraine survival in a succession of glacial advances

January 1, 1984

Emplacement of glacial moraines normally results in obliteration of any older moraines deposited by less extensive glacial advances, a process we call “obliterative overlap.” A probability analysis of the likely impact of obliterative overlap on the completeness of the glacial record assumes that moraines were deposited at various distances from their glacial source areas randomly over time. Assuming randomness and obliterative overlap, after 10 glacial episodes, the most likely number of surviving moraines is only three. The record of the Pleistocene is in agreement with the probability analysis: the 10 glaciations during the past 0.9 m.y. inferred from the deep-sea record resulted in moraine sequences in which only two or three different-aged moraine belts can generally be distinguished.

Publication Year 1984
Title Probability of moraine survival in a succession of glacial advances
DOI 10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<327:POMSIA>2.0.CO;2
Authors A. B. Gibbons, J.D. Megeath, K. L. Pierce
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geology
Index ID 70013636
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse