MINERAL MAGNETIC ANALYSIS OF A WEATHERING SURFACE WITHIN GLACIGENIC SEDIMENTS AT GLANLLYNNAU, NORTH-WALES

A number of 'weathering' horizons have been identified within glacigen ic sediment sequences in North Wales and have been instrumental in det ermining various proposed Late Quaternary event chronologies. This pap er applies the techniques of mineral magnetic analysis to such a sedim ent sequence at Glanllynnau. The presence (or otherwise) of evidence f or weathering processes on the upper surface of the Criccieth Till, wh ich is overlain by further glacial materials, is examined. Despite a m arked colour variation between the 'weathered' and non-weathered compo nents of the Criccieth Till, their mineral magnetic properties suggest little or no variation in iron oxide assemblages. The consequences of this for the environmental interpretation of the sediment sequence ar e discussed.