THE CARSTAIRS KAMES (LANARKSHIRE, SCOTLAND) - MORPHOLOGY, SEDIMENTOLOGY AND FORMATION

The Carstairs Kames have been the subject of debate for over 150 yr. A synthesis of previous work, along with new sedimentological data, is used to reappraise this classic British esker locality. Three morpholo gical elements are recognised: (i) large, sinuous and anastomosing rid ges; (ii) large, irregular, linear mounds; and (i) small, low and irre gular mounds. The main ridge system is composed of a core of boulder g ravel with sand/pebble gravel above and adjacent to the core. The larg e, linear mounds contain a varied facies range which include: glaciola custrine sediments (deltaic sequences, laminites and dropstones); debr is flows; and glaciofluvial channel systems. All the deposits, both in the main ridges and in the adjacent linear mounds, contain syn-and po st-depositional subsidence structures, including normal faults, syncli nal folds and growth faults. A range of potential origins for these la ndforms is reviewed and it is suggested that glaciofluvial sedimentati on in a supraglacial environment, controlled by a topography of ice-co red ridges, is the most appropriate depositional model. (C) 1997 by Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.