The upper pleistocene of São Francisco do Sul Island coastal plain: geomorphologic, sedimentologic and evolutive aspects

Abstract

The upper Pleistocene deposits (± 120 ky BP) outcrop in several coastal plains throughout the Brazilian coast. The occurrences in Santa Catarina State - Northern coast, where São Francisco do Sul Island is located are included in this context. The Pleistocene deposits which have marine and lagoon origin on the base and eolic origin on the top, characterize typical barrier island confined to crystalline basement elevations. The deposits outcrop on the central sector of São Francisco do Sul Island, close to the coastline, reaching up to 6 km of width and have variable heights from 12 to 17 m in elevations and 10 to 12 m in depressions. The geologic contact with the others coastal plain unities are interdigited and/or abrupt through scarps well defined that reach up to 4 m of vertical fall. The geomorphologic features consist in terraces exhibiting horizontal and undulated surface, dominating sandy sediments, fine to medium, well sorted, constituted by quartz and heavy minerals. These deposits were formed in higher sea level (8±2 m), between 18 to 120 ky BP, during regressive phase of the Sangamonian - Yarmoutian maximum transgression/regression, which is correlated to the interglacial Riss/Wurm, corresponding in Brazil to Cananéia transgression (SP), Penultimate transgression (BA) or barrier III (RS).