riss glaciation
Definition
Noun 1. A specific glacial period: The Riss glaciation refers to the penultimate major glaciation of the Pleistocene epoch in the Alps, characterized by extensive ice sheet advance. 2. The geological deposits: The term also denotes the layers of sediment (like till, moraines, and outwash) that were laid down during this glacial period.
Usage
- The Riss glaciation is a key stratigraphic marker for correlating Quaternary deposits across Europe.
- Geologists study the moraines from the Riss glaciation to understand past climate cycles.
- The deposits of the Riss glaciation are often found beneath those of the last glacial period, the Würm.
Advanced Usage
- In scientific dating, the Riss glaciation is often correlated with Marine Isotope Stage 6 (MIS 6).
- The term is used in paleoclimatology to discuss the timing and extent of ice advances during the Middle Pleistocene.
Variants and Related Words
- Riss (noun): Often used as a shorthand for the Riss glaciation period.
- Rissian (adjective): Pertaining to the Riss glaciation (e.g., Rissian deposits).
- Glacial period / Ice age: The broader category to which the Riss glaciation belongs.
- Penultimate glaciation: A descriptive phrase for the Riss, meaning the second-to-last major glaciation.
Synonyms
- Riss Ice Age
- Riss glacial stage
Related Terms (Contextual)
- Würm glaciation: The subsequent and final major Pleistocene glaciation in the Alps.
- Mindel glaciation: The glacial period generally preceding the Riss in the traditional Alpine sequence.
- Pleistocene epoch: The geological time period (often called the Ice Age) encompassing these glaciations.
Noun
-
the next-to-last Pleistocene glaciation in the Alps and the deposits laid down at that time
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