Patterned Ground in Breckland: Structure and Composition

Abstract

Patterned ground structures in Breckland manifested conspicuously in vegetation are described, using as examples three deep sections in the local sandy drift and subjacent chalk. The nature of the sandy drift is described and its origin discussed; it may be aeolian or glacial, with much disturbance by periglacial processes. The structures described are laminations and involutions. Their origins during a time of permafrost and freeze-thaw activity are discussed. The patterned ground, of polygons and stripes, is of a non-sorted type and bears a resemblance to the Alaskan patterned ground described by Hopkins and Sigafoos (1951). The patterned ground and associated structures are probably of Weichselian (last) Glaciation age.