STRUCTURE AND RHYTHMIC PATTERN OF GLACIOFLUVIAL DEPOSITS NORTH OF LAKE VANERN, SOUTH-CENTRAL SWEDEN

The glaciofluvial deposits of the Vanern plain, Varmland, form esker s ystems and trains. Esker trains are defined as series of short eskers. kames and other glaciofluvial deposits. Trains spreading fan-like fro m the same area are combined into esker systems. Some individual depos its are described. The general pattern differs from the long, coherent eskers typical of eastern Sweden. A rhythmic pattern of depositional units in the esker trains is found to correspond to a 10 to 11 yr cycl e, possibly representing the sunspot cycle. Zones of alternating faste r and slower retreat of the ice margin are identified. Two lines of sl ower retreat, the Karlstad and Fryken lines, correspond to the Norwegi an Ski line, dated at 10 000 BP (conventional radiocarbon years) and t o a slightly younger line. The spacing of the esker trains is controll ed by topography in the north, but by basal ice melting, which control led their flow and spacing on the flatter terrain in the south.