Late Weichselian transgression, erosion and sedimentation at Gullfaks, northern North Sea

Summary A prograding sequence of near shore sediments is identified at the border of the northern North Sea plateau (water depth 135 m) and the western slope of the Norwegian Trench. In Late Weichselian time (probably about 15 000 years bp ) the relative sea level was approximately 180 m lower than today. During this low sea-level stand, the older consolidated glaciomarine sediments in the slope area were exposed to coastal erosion, leading to a prograding unit of sand fining outwards to silt and clay. During rising sea-level the coastal erosion gradually reached a lodgement till deposited at the top of the plateau, resulting in coarser sediments such as stones and gravel, fining outwards to sand down the slope. The plateau area was transgressed shortly after 13 000 years bp .