Geological development of the landscape at Jelling: Geological setting, glacial dynamics and Quaternary history of the Jelling area, East Jutland

Jelling is located above the average elevation of Denmark with a top altitude of 115m above sea level (a.s.l.) and on the moraine plateau in the east Danish glacial morphologic landscape (Milthers 1948). In some parts the landscape constitutes a hummocky moraine terrain characterised by hills generally less than 150m high (Fig. 13.1). The most dramatic variation in the glacial morphology is the steep sided tunnel valleys, which are mainly trending east-west. The largest of these valleys, which are now incised by fjords such as Vejle Fjord (10km south-east of Jelling), have a long geological history and not only formed during the last glaciation (Gravesen et al. 2004).