An introduction to the glacial geology and history of glacitectonic research in Northeast Norfolk

The glacial deposits of northeast Norfolk (Figure 5.1) have courted the interest of geologists for well over 150 years (Buckland, 1823; Lyell, 1840; Gunn, 1867; Reid, 1877). Indeed, it is no surprise that fundamental steps in scientific philosophy as well as paradigm shifts in the understanding of glacial processes have been developed, in‐part, on research undertaken in northeast Norfolk (Slater, 1926; Whiteman, 2000). In this chapter, we provide a background to the role played by the region in the broader understanding of glacitectonics. We also provide a brief overview of the current understanding of the glacial geology of the region, setting the context for the site visits during the Workshop and the case studies presented later in this field guide.