The central Swedish ice-edge zone was formed when the melting of inland ice slowed down during a cold period approximately 12,000 years ago and the ice edge stood relatively still for around 800 years. This occurred during the cold part of the Younger Dryas period.
The central Swedish ice-edge zone contains many terminal moraines, including moraine ridges. The zone is therefore sometimes referred to as the central Swedish terminal moraines. The area also features many sandy delta areas and other ice river deposits of stones, gravel and sand.
The zone stretches from southern Norway, through Dalsland, Västergötland, Östergötland and up through Södermanland. The area then continues with terminal moraines through southern Finland (where it is known as Salpausselkä) and into Russia along a curve up towards the Arctic Ocean.