Abstract. Until now, reliable chronological classifications based on numerical
ages for many Pleistocene fluvial deposits in the Alpine Foreland were rare.
In this study, new numeric data (ESR, OSL, 14C) from
Middle and Upper (Late) Pleistocene Hochterrassen
(high terraces) and
Übergangsterrassen (transitional terraces) in
the Bavarian Alpine Foreland are presented. The dating results imply that
the Hochterrassen gravel sensu
stricto were deposited during the penultimate glacial (MIS 6,
Rissian), and that underlying older gravel accumulation are predominantly of
penultimate interglacial (MIS 7, Riss–Riss interglacial) age. In some areas
of the Hochterrassen in the Danube valley south
of Regensburg (interglacial Hartinger Schichten,
Harting layers), and in some areas of the Rainer Hochterrasse (basal gravel unit I),
Hochterrassen gravels are underlain by much older
interglacial gravel deposits. These interglacial basal gravel deposits
illustrate that the downcutting of these valleys far away from areas of
Pleistocene foreland glaciations happened predominantly during
warm-temperate interglacial or late-glacial periods. One last interglacial
(MIS 5e, Riss–Würm interglacial)
Hochterrasse is morphologically preserved in the
Isar valley. This Jüngere Moosburger Hochterrasse is composed of the
Fagotienschotter (Fagotia gravel, named after the
gastropod Fagotia acicularis). The next younger
terraces are the Early to Middle Würmian (MIS 5d to MIS 3?)
Übergangsterrassen (transitional terraces),
whereas the younger one of the two Übergangsterrassen
was formed most probably during the Middle Würmian (MIS 3).