Evidence for Pre-Cromerian Permafrost in East Anglia

Abstract

In December 1965, a tidal scour at West Runton (north Norfolk coast) exposed Middle Pleistocene estuarine silts assigned to the Pastonian interglacial. Within these deposits, part of an ice-wedge network and the cast of an individual wedge were discovered, providing direct evidence of permafrost during the cold stage between the Pastonian and Cromerian temperate stages, known as the Beestonian. Additional evidence of cold conditions is given by plant remains, including Betula nana, preserved in laminated silts. These findings demonstrate that East Anglia experienced permafrost conditions prior to the Cromerian stage.