Old and Young Drift

The terms Altmoräne and young moraine characterize different ages landforms in glaciated areas of Central Europe. While most are still visible today Altmoränen were formed in the Saale ice age and crack ice age approximately 130000-140000 years ago, the Jungmoränenlandschaften in Central Europe are significantly younger and about 15,000 to 20,000 years old. The latter originated in the Weichsel ice age (or in alpine Vergletscherungsgebiet in the Würm ). The term Old and young moraine is transferred to all elements of the Glacial series, even if the meltwater deposits and forms not strictly represent moraines.

Altmoränen

The old moraine landscapes were in the last ice age tundra or cold deserts. By periglacial processes where it caused significant erosion (especially denudation, less erosion) and the other hand to the accumulation of sediments in the lowlands. Due to this, the old glacial forms are already blurred and clearly flattened. Furthermore, almost all closed hollow forms are completely filled (eg Toteiskessel and lakes). The Altmoränenland relief is therefore poorer than the young moraine and barely has natural lakes. The river system of the Altmoränenlandes is formed normally and hierarchical.

Due to the progressive weathering of the near-surface sediments, the soils are strongly leached ( verbraunt, decalcified and / or podsoliert ). The glacial till is decalcified usually 3-4 meters, at lower thicknesses even completely. Often ablation and accumulation forms of wind, sand and silt as could easily blown away due to the lack of vegetation cover during the cold periods of the wind. Typical of many Altmoränengebiete therefore, the occurrence of ventifacts, dunes and loess.

Jungmoränen

The young moraine, however, has fresh, still good to be recognized as such Glazialformen. There are numerous closed hollow forms, many of which are filled with water. The river system is often formed yet immature and chaotic. There are numerous inland drainage areas. Although ventifacts and dunes occur; However, these forms are much younger and less intensively trained than in Altmoränenland. The soils are much less weathered than in Altmoränenland. On the moraine, the decalcification of the glacial till, therefore, often less than 1 meter.