varve

varve in geology, pair of thin sedimentary layers formed annually by seasonal climatic changes. Usually found in glacial lake deposits, varves consist of a coarse-grained, light-colored summer deposit and a finer-grained, dark-colored winter deposit formed when fine sediment settles out from the water under the ice cover. Varves, and the pollen they contain, are useful for interpreting recent climatic history.

varve A banded layer of silt and sand deposited annually in lakes, especially near to ice sheets. The coarse, paler material is deposited in summer; the finer, darker material in winter. One varve consists of one light band and one dark band. Varves can be counted to calculate the age of glacial deposits (varve analysis, also called varve chronology or varve count). Since the pattern of thicknesses of successive varves is often distinctive, correlations can be made between widely separated deposits, using the same principle as that of dendrochronology.

varve A banded layer of silt and sand deposited annually in lakes, especially near to ice sheets. The coarse, paler material is deposited in summer; the finer, darker material in winter. One varve consists of one light band and one dark band. Varves can be counted to calculate the age of glacial deposits (varve analysis, also called varve chronology or varve count). Since the pattern of thicknesses of successive varves is often distinctive, correlations can be made between widely separated deposits, using the same principle as that of dendrochronology.