Title
The evolution of the Lower Scheldt river in Belgium and the south-western Netherlands after the last ice age = De evolutie van de Beneden-Schelde in België en zuidwest-Nederland na de laatste ijstijd
Author
Kiden, P.
TNO Bouw en Ondergrond
Publication year
2006
Abstract
This paper gives an overview of the evolution of the Lower River schelde in Belgium and the southwestern Netherlands, with special reference to recent research results. During the Lateglacial the Scheldt in The Netherlands occupies a deeply incised palaeovalley which runs in a northerly direction. In the course of the Holocene sea-level rise, the sea gradually invades this valley, resulting in a strong reduction in river gradient. Around 6000 years ago the marine influence in Zeeland reaches a first maximum and is even felt on Belgian territory. Subsequently marine influence wanes and in the area behind the coastal barrier extensive peat growth takes place. Around the beginning of our era marine influence intensifies again, causing a slow increase of the tides in the Scheldt River and the end of the peat growth. Since ca. 1100 AD tidal amplitude has grown considerably as a result of the development of the Westerschelde and human interference (embankments and 20th-century dredging).
Subject
Geosciences
Belgium
Holocene
Lateglacial
Marine influence
River evolution
River gradient
Scheldt
Sea-level rise
The Netherlands
Holocene
late glacial
river evolution
sea level change
Belgium
Benelux
Eurasia
Europe
Netherlands
Scheldt River
Western Europe
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:724d8cfe-b0d9-47f5-b59b-b2c67d9d6837
TNO identifier
239763
ISSN
1377-2368
Source
BELGEO (3), 279-294
Document type
article