<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Substantial parts of the British Isles preserve landscapes that are the legacy of pre-Quaternary times. Some of these may be the result of burial and exhumation of pre-Cenozoic features. However, most landscapes post-date the Cretaceous transgression during which a Chalk mantle was laid down. Much of the British Isles became land during the Palaeogene and the Chalk cover was rapidly removed over large areas. Sea floor spre-ading, thermal uplift, and intrusion and extrusion of igneous material occurred. Landscapes also evolved in response to warm climatic conditions and this may have led to etchplanation. In the Neogene various surface formed and were affected by ongoing tectonic activity. Various estimates have been made of Cenozoic denu-dation rates and amounts, but they appear to have varied spatially and temporally. Landscapes which provide tangible evidence of pre-Quaternary times include those of north-east Scotland and southern England. Such ancient landscapes are important components of the Geoheritage of Britain.</p></abstract>

Substantial parts of the British Isles preserve landscapes that are the legacy of pre-Quaternary times. Some of these may be the result of burial and exhumation of pre-Cenozoic features. However, most landscapes post-date the Cretaceous transgression during which a Chalk mantle was laid down. Much of the British Isles became land during the Palaeogene and the Chalk cover was rapidly removed over large areas. Sea floor spre-ading, thermal uplift, and intrusion and extrusion of igneous material occurred. Landscapes also evolved in response to warm climatic conditions and this may have led to etchplanation. In the Neogene various surface formed and were affected by ongoing tectonic activity. Various estimates have been made of Cenozoic denu-dation rates and amounts, but they appear to have varied spatially and temporally. Landscapes which provide tangible evidence of pre-Quaternary times include those of north-east Scotland and southern England. Such ancient landscapes are important components of the Geoheritage of Britain.

Pre-Quaternary geomorphological history and geoheritage of Britain

Department of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland

China Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.

Quaestiones Geographicae

{"article-title":"Pre-Quaternary geomorphological history and geoheritage of Britain"}

Substantial parts of the British Isles preserve landscapes that are the legacy of pre-Quaternary times. Some of these may be the result of burial and...

Pre-Quaternary geomorphological history and geoheritage of Britain

Published Online: Apr 03, 2012

Page range: 67 - 79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-012-0004-x

Keywords
geoheritage, long-term landform development, Cenozoic, Britain

This content is open access.

Pre-Quaternary geomorphological history and geoheritage of Britain

Published Online: Apr 03, 2012

Page range: 67 - 79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-012-0004-x

Keywordsgeoheritage, long-term landform development, Cenozoic, Britain

This content is open access.

Keywords
geoheritage, long-term landform development, Cenozoic, Britain