Alluvium: Implications for stratigraphy and correlation of quaternary sediments

Based on a generalized knowledge of conditions and mechanisms for accumulation of the cycle terrace alluvium on plain and mountain rivers, alluvium is suggested as an instrument for stratigraphic studies, interregional correlation, and correction of present schemes. Diachronous alluvial formations are uniformly constructed. They include two subunits, a lower "warm" and an upper "cool" one. In addition the formations are subdivided in dynamic phases that display a dominating regime and stages of erosion-and-accumulation cycle. Alluvial formations are characterized by a peculiar mechanical and mineralogical composition, gradation, bedding, thickness, landscape and climatic conditions of accumulation, paleontological content, character of occurrence, and position in a cycle incision. All these characters of an alluvial formation and its subformations correspond to a complete climatic rhythm and oscillation stages. Alluvial formations are associated in a certain way with glacial and marine sediments making up a single formation complex.