On global glacioisostatic manifestation within platformian regions of the Earth during the Pleistocene

Abstract

Two large regions are established within the limits of continental platforms, differing in Quaternary marine terraces topography (buriec or exposed) and in shelfs' structure. The first region includes areas of maximum Pleistocene glaciation, the second region - unglaciated areas. The present-day topographic features of both regions are controlled to a considerable degree by the lithospheric deformations during the Pleistocene: downwarping within the first region (amplitude up to 600 meters) and uplift within the second one (amplitude from a few meters up to 140 meters). Probable mechanism of the deformation is discussed in connection with global impact of isostasy on the Earth structure evolution during the Pleistocene.