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Thermoluminescence Dating of the Middle Pleistocene Raised Beach of Sangatte (Northern France)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Sanda Balescu
Affiliation:
Université du Québec à Montréal, Département des Sciences de la Terre, C P 8888, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
Susan C. Packman
Affiliation:
Cambridge University, Geography Department, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, United Kingdom
Ann G. Wintle
Affiliation:
University College of Wales, Institute of Earth Studies, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, United Kingdom
Rainer Grün
Affiliation:
Cambridge University, Subdepartment of Quaternary Research, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RS, United Kingdom

Abstract

TL dating of both quartz and potassium feldspar grains from the Pleistocene beach of Sangatte, at the southern limit of the North Sea Basin, give self-consistent ages of 200,000 ± 45,000, 205,000 ± 14,000, and 229,000 ± 18,000 years, respectively. These results allow the beach deposits to be correlated with oxygen isotope stage 7 (244,000–190,000 yr) (Martinson et al., 1987). The existence of a fossil beach cliff line at 10 m above French O.D. demonstrates that the Strait of Dover was open during the penultimate interglaciation.

Type
Short Paper
Copyright
University of Washington

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