Hans Rudolf Graf

Quaternary deposits: concept for a stratigraphic classification and nomenclature—an example from northern Switzerland

A. Penck’s and E. Brückner’s “classical” subdivision of Quaternary deposits, developed in the Alpine foreland of southern Germany, was used for a long time as a basis for the classification of Quaternary deposits on Swiss geological maps. Due to fundamental differences between southern Germany and northern Switzerland regarding the morphogenetic control of the drainage system—especially regarding the morphostratigraphic position of various lithostratigraphic units—this subdivision should no longer be applied in Switzerland. With this in view, a new concept for a stratigraphic classification and nomenclature is presented here. It is based on the national guidelines for stratigraphic nomenclature compiled by the Swiss Committee on Stratigraphy SCS. In addition, a corresponding system for map legends is proposed. This concept has already been applied in a number of sheets of the Geological Atlas of Switzerland 1:25,000 and will be implemented in future maps.

Correction to: Multiple Quaternary erosion and infill cycles in overdeepened basins of the northern Alpine foreland

In the original version of this article, some corrections had not been implemented.