Classification and areal distribution of glaciotectonic features in Estonia

Abstract

Known giaciotectonic phenomena in Estonia were subjected to systematic analysis and mapping for the Estonian Glaciotectonic Database and Map Project. The available data allow classification of such features into five main categories. Ridges, hills and composite massifs composed of the Quaternary sediments appear to be the most common glaciotectonic landforms in Estonia. Glaciotectonic ridges and hills, composite massifs and sites in which the buried disturbed Quaternary sediments were estimated, are located mainly in southern and southeastern Estonia where a thickness of the Pleistocene cover varies between 50-200 m, or at the sites where they denote ice margin positions of different stadials (oscillations). Large glacial rafts of the pre-Quaternary bedrock as well as point samples of the disturbed pre-Quaternary bedrock were mapped near the North Estonian limestone escarpment and in northeastern Estonia.