The Streif classification system: a tribute to an alternative system for organising and mapping Holocene coastal deposits

The classification system for organising and mapping Holocene coastal deposits as introduced by Streif is highlighted with respect to mapping requirements. Apart from the requirements such as a user-friendly legend and map, the linkage of the classification system with the history of deposition is demonstrated for the tide-dominated lowlands of the southern North Sea and English Channel. The linkage becomes obvious when considering the effect of the changes in the rate of relative sea-level rise. The difficulties that surrounded the lithostratigraphy of Holocene coastal deposits and the principles of the classification system which eventually made an end to the well-known and long-standing debate about the lithostratigraphy are briefly recalled.