Introduction
Varved sediments are sequences of sedimentary laminations deposited within a single year. A varve (Swedish: varv, layer) is a pair or set of laminae formed during different seasons within a year (varves – seasonal rhythmites – annually laminated sediments). Varves have been described in glacial, lacustrine and marine environments. Clastic varves in glacial lacustrine environments, i.e., glacial varves, are classic examples of varved sediments, but seasonal, rhythmic changes in biogenic production (e.g., diatoms) or water chemistry (e.g., carbonate content) also give rise to varve formation. In addition, annual layers in ice cores are varves, and chemical varves may be formed in precipitates and evaporates, such as stalagmites and gypsum beds.
Glacial varves
Varved clays are commonly found in Quaternary deposits in glaciated areas, but they have also been identified in deposits of older glaciations, such as the Carboniferous, Ordovician, and the late and early Proterozoic.
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Saarnisto, M., Ojala, A.E.K. (2009). Varved Sediments. In: Gornitz, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and Ancient Environments. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4411-3_226
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