Chasing pavements: New insights from Late Palaeozoic glacial outcrops in South Africa

Abstract

During the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age (LPIA; ~360–260 Ma), southern Africa formed part of Gondwana and experienced repeated episodes of continental glaciation. These glacial events left an extensive sedimentological and geomorphological record. In several regions, modern topography partially reflects this inherited glacial relief, providing rare insights into pre-Quaternary ice-sheet dynamics, basal processes, and ice–substrate interactions. Despite their scientific importance, many LPIA glacial pavements in southern Africa remain poorly documented and understudied. Numerous key outcrops are increasingly threatened by natural erosion, flooding, agricultural practices, and industrial development. In addition, access is often restricted because many pavements occur on private farmland or in remote areas, limiting systematic field investigation. To date, most known glacial pavements have not been digitally mapped or analysed at high spatial resolution. Here we apply integrated aerial and close-range photogrammetry, combined with detailed sedimentological analysis, to document seven representative Late Palaeozoic glacial outcrops in the Northern Cape Region in South Africa. High-resolution digital outcrop models are complemented by field-based sedimentological observations. Together, these approaches provide a robust framework for interpreting glacial dynamics and depositional environments. The resulting digital and sedimentological datasets form a reproducible archive that supports quantitative analysis, virtual access, and long-term preservation of vulnerable geological heritage sites. Our results demonstrate the potential of combining digital documentation with in-depth sedimentological analysis to advance the study of ancient glacial landscapes and to preserve critical pre-Quaternary cryospheric records for future research.