Early Holocene aeolian sediments in southwestern Crete−preliminary results

Abstract The soilscapes along the southern and western coast of Crete (Greece) are dominated by coarse-grained reddish-brown slope sediments whose natural (pre-anthropogenic) configuration properties difficult to reconstruct due long history intense land use. As a consequence, datable terrestrial sediment archives pre-anthropogenic genesis scarce. We present preliminary results study performed on an accumulation within alluvial fan south Stomio Bay in southwestern Crete. studied profile is located small depression composed sequence sandy silty yellowish-brown calcareous overlying sediments, including fossil topsoil horizon. Based macroscopic, micromorphological, geochemical, geophysical mineralogical analysis, we interpret fine-grained have local aeolian origin. OSL dating indicates final deposition phase during early Holocene. Considering scarcity Holocene Crete, analysed provides valuable data for reconstruction landscape dynamics paleoecological conditions as well soil-sediment configurations this time period. Additional research needed address specific source area(s) ages formation topsoil.