An outline of Quaternary events, processes and landforms in Cumbria

Quaternary events, processes and landforms are important factors in accounting for the variety of landscapes in Cumbria. This paper considers these factors. First, it reflects on how the landscape may have looked immediately prior to the multiple cold-warm oscillations that characterised the period. Second, it draws together information pertaining to these oscillations of temperature and outlines what is and is not known about the impact that glaciers have had on the landscape. Third, landscape changes since the last glaciers decayed are described, with some being of major landshaping and landform-generating significance while others are considerably smaller in scale and can often go unnoticed. Together, the Quaternary landforms of Cumbria give the county its broad scenic diversity but they are not static and continue to evolve in association with the vagaries of contemporary climate. Their importance to human welfare is palpable