Ice-flow patterns and glacial transport in the eastern Hudson Bay region: implications for the late Quaternary dynamics of the Laurentide Ice Sheet

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2057-2070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Parent ◽  
Serge J. Paradis ◽  
Éric Boisvert
Keyword(s):  
Compositional Data ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Glacial Maximum ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Flow Phase ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

Recent field surveys in the eastern Hudson Bay region have led to the discovery of regional ice-flow sequences that require a significant reassessment of the late Quaternary dynamics of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Two regional ice-flow phases can be recognized from till compositional data and from crosscutting relationships observed on striated bedrock surfaces: the oldest is directed toward the northwest and north-northwest, while the youngest is directed toward the west and includes a late-glacial deflection toward the southwest. The wide regional distribution of striae formed during the early northwestward glacial movement together with the recognition of palimpsest glacial dispersal trains associated with this phase suggest that it was a long-lived, time-transgressive regional event. The ensuing glacial movement is a regionally dominant westward ice-flow phase during which several large glacial dispersal trains were formed downglacier from distinctive bedrock sources. The largest of these trains extends westward over a distance of 120 km from Lac à l'Eau Claire to Hudson Bay. Regional glacial transport data as well as glacial and deglacial landforms indicate that this was a long-lived glacial phase, likely lasting throughout the Late Wisconsinan glacial maximum and until déglaciation about 8000 BP. The erosional and depositional record of the northwestward ice-flow event is quite comparable to that of the ensuing glacial phase, and it is thus thought to represent the Early Wisconsinan glacial maximum. In view of the large regional extent of the northwestward ice-flow phase, it must postdate the early buildup of the ice sheet. Along the southeastern Hudson Bay coast, the Late Wisconsinan westward glacial movement was followed by a southwestward deflection that was likely caused by glacial streaming prior to 8000 BP in James Bay, in response to calving and surging into Glacial Lake Ojibway.

scholarly journals Objective Reconstructions of the Late Wisconsinan Laurentide Ice Sheet and the Significance of Deformable Beds

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Fisher ◽  
N. Reeh ◽  
K. Langley
Keyword(s):  
Yield Stress ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Ice Streams ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Surface Slopes ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

ABSTRACT A three dimensional steady state plastic ice model; the present surface topography (on a 50 km grid); a recent concensus of the Late Wisconsinan maximum margin (PREST, 1984); and a simple map of ice yield stress are used to model the Laurentide Ice Sheet. A multi-domed, asymmetric reconstruction is computed without prior assumptions about flow lines. The effects of possible deforming beds are modelled by using the very low yield stress values suggested by MATHEWS (1974). Because of low yield stress (deforming beds) the model generates thin ice on the Prairies, Great Lakes area and, in one case, over Hudson Bay. Introduction of low yield stress (deformabie) regions also produces low surface slopes and abrupt ice flow direction changes. In certain circumstances large ice streams are generated along the boundaries between normal yield stress (non-deformable beds) and low yield stress ice (deformabie beds). Computer models are discussed in reference to the geologically-based reconstructions of SHILTS (1980) and DYKE ef al. (1982).

Genesis of carbonate till in the lee sides of Precambrian Shield uplands, Hemlo area, Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 2004-2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Hicock
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Glacial Maximum ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
The South ◽  
Precambrian Shield ◽  
Basal Zone ◽  
Compressive Flow ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Basal Till

Near Hemlo, Ontario, highly calcareous till is confined to areas located downglacier from Precambrian uplands, at least 150 km from the Paleozoic–Precambrian boundary. It comprises subglacial meltout till between lodgment tills, and the calcareous package overlies noncalcareous basal till (not studied) and underlies noncalcareous supraglacial meltout till. The tills can be distinguished by textural, carbonate, and clast compositions. Glaciotectonic deformations, stone fabrics and striae, and stone provenance from the tills, as well as erosional and depositional landforms, indicate that ice advanced to the south–southwest across bedrock contacts and over Precambrian uplands.Deposition of all five tills can be explained with one glacial event. As the Late Wisconsinan margin of the Laurentide ice sheet advanced against uplands about 20 km northeast of Hemlo it experienced compressive flow while depositing the non calcareous basal till. Upshearing of stoss-side local debris high into the ice also occurred as englacial ice overrode the slowed basal zone. Once over the upland, englacial ice assumed extending flow, and downshearing of distal debris, which was deposited as calcareous lodgment till on the lee sides of uplands. After the glacial maximum, the glacier ceased internal movement and subglacial meltout till was laid down. A late reactivation of the ice deposited the upper lodgment till and final stagnation formed the supraglacial meltout till.

Late Tertiary to late Quaternary record in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada: stratigraphy, paleosols, paleomagnetism, and chlorine - 36

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 875-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Duk-Rodkin ◽  
R. W. Barendregt ◽  
C. Tarnocai ◽  
F. M. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Stratigraphic Sequence ◽  
Late Tertiary ◽  
Mackenzie Mountains ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Stratigraphic Succession

A stratigraphic sequence of unconsolidated sediments ranging in age from Late Pliocene to Late Pleistocene is recorded in the Canyon Ranges of the Mackenzie Mountains. Three of the sections (Katherine Creek, Little Bear River, and Inlin Brook) expose bedrock and Tertiary gravel overlain by colluvium and a multiple till sequence of montane origin, separated by paleosols and capped by a till of Laurentide origin. The sections are correlated on the basis of lithology, paleosol development, paleomagnetism, and chlorine dating of surface boulder erratics. A formal stratigraphic nomenclature is proposed for the deposits of this region. The sequence of glacial tills separated by paleosols reflects a long record of glacial–interglacial cycles. Soil properties from the oldest paleosol to modern soil show a general decrease in the degree of soil development, suggesting a progressive deterioration of interglacial climatic conditions. A normal–reverse–normal sequence of remanent magnetization was determined within the stratigraphic succession and assigned to the Gauss–Matuyama–Brunhes chrons, respectively. A Gauss age was assigned to the basal colluvium, an early Matuyama age (including Olduvai) to the first two tills, and a Brunhes age to the last three tills. Laurentide deposits are of Late Wisconsinan age and are restricted to the uppermost part of the stratigraphic succession. Chlorine dates for surface boulders place the all-time limit of the Laurentide Ice Sheet at about 30 ka. The Late Wisconsinan Laurentide Ice Sheet was the only continental ice to reach the Mackenzie and Richardson mountains of the northern Cordillera.

scholarly journals Laurentide Ice-Flow Patterns: A Historical Review, and Implications of the Dispersal of Belcher Islands Erratics

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor K. Prest
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
The North

ABSTRACTThis paper deals with the evolution of ideas concerning the configuration of flow patterns of the great inland ice sheets east of the Cordillera. The interpretations of overall extent of Laurentide ice have changed little in a century (except in the Arctic) but the manner of growth, centres of outflow, and ice-flow patterns, remain somewhat controversial. Present geological data however, clearly favour the notion of multiple centres of ice flow. The first map of the extent of the North American ice cover was published in 1881. A multi-domed concept of the ice sheet was illustrated in an 1894 sketch-map of radial flow from dispersal areas east and west of Hudson Bay. The first large format glacial map of North America was published in 1913. The binary concept of the ice sheet was in vogue until 1943 when a single centre in Hudson Bay was proposed, based on the westward growth of ice from Labrador/Québec. This Hudson dome concept persisted but was not illustrated until 1977. By this time it was evident from dispersal studies that the single dome concept was not viable. Dispersal studies clearly indicate long-continued westward ice flow from Québec into and across southern Hudson Bay, as well as eastward flow from Keewatin into the northern part of the bay. Computer-type modelling of the Laurentide ice sheet(s) further indicates their complex nature. The distribution of two indicator erratics from the Proterozoicage Belcher Island Fold Belt Group help constrain ice flow models. These erratics have been dispersed widely to the west, southwest and south by the Labrador Sector of more than one Laurentide ice sheet. They are abundant across the Paleozoic terrain of the Hudson-James Bay lowland, but decrease in abundance across the adjoining Archean upland. Similar erratics are common in northern Manitoba in the zone of confluence between Labrador and Keewatin Sector ice. Scattered occurences across the Prairies occur within the realm of south-flowing Keewatin ice. As these erratics are not known, and presumably not present, in Keewatin, they indicate redirection and deposition by Keewatin ice following one or more older advances of Labrador ice. The distribution of indicator erratics thus test our concepts of ice sheet growth.

scholarly journals First recognition of a Laurentide Ice Stream : Robert Bell on Hudson Strait

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian A. Brookes
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Baffin Island ◽  
Ice Streams ◽  
West Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
West Antarctic ◽  
Ice Stream ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

Abstract In papers published in 1895 and 1901, and in undated notes for a 1907 paper he did not deliver or publish, Robert Bell of the Geological Survey of Canada interpreted the pattern of glacial striae, stossing of rock knobs, and surficial sediment composition along the margins of Hudson Strait, between Labrador, Ungava Bay and Baffin Island, as evidence of what he called an ice-stream, a long river-like glacier, fed from Hudson Bay and Foxe Basin, that had moved eastward along the Strait during the Late Glacial period. This was the earliest mention of such a glaciological feature within the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). It was not until ice-streams were recognized in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in the 1970’s that Bell’s concept was revived in the next decade and subsequently, in recognition of several ice-streams within the Late Wisconsinan LIS.

scholarly journals PISM-LakeCC: Implementing an adaptive proglacial lake boundary into an ice sheet model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Hinck ◽  
Evan J. Gowan ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Gerrit Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Ice Streams ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Glacial Retreat ◽  
Proglacial Lakes ◽  
Lake Model ◽  
Ice Sheet Dynamics

Abstract. Geological records show that vast proglacial lakes existed along the land terminating margins of palaeo ice sheets in Europe and North America. Proglacial lakes impact ice sheet dynamics by imposing marine-like boundary conditions at the ice margin. These lacustrine boundary conditions include changes in the ice sheet’s geometry, stress balance and frontal ablation and therefore affect the entire ice sheet’s mass balance. This interaction, however, has not been rigorously implemented in ice sheet models. In this study, the implementation of an adaptive lake boundary into the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM) is described and applied to the glacial retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). The results show that the presence of proglacial lakes locally enhances the ice flow. Along the continental ice margin, ice streams and ice lobes can be observed. Lacustrine terminating ice streams cause immense thinning of the ice sheet’s interior and thus play a significant role in the demise of the LIS. Due to the presence of lakes, a process similar to the marine ice sheet instability causes the collapse of the ice saddle over Hudson Bay, which blocked drainage via the Hudson Strait. In control experiments without a lake model, Hudson Bay is still glaciated at the end of the simulation. Future studies should target the development of parametrizations that better describe the glacial-lacustrine interactions.

Glacial dispersal of rock debris in central Gaspésie, Quebec, Canada

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1697-1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rémi Charbonneau ◽  
Peter P. David
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Glacial History ◽  
Dispersal Pattern ◽  
Glacial Erosion ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Granite Pluton ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
History Of ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

The lithological content of tills in central Gaspésie is evaluated by pebble counting of 231 samples collected in excavation pits and containing 200 pebbles each. The results are used here to establish the pattern of debris dispersal and to infer the glacial history of the area. The dispersal pattern is characterized by well-defined southeasterly (160–170°) and northeasterly (40–60°) trending trains. Half-distance values of glacial transport along the trains range from 5 to 9 km for both directions, suggesting ice flow events of considerable magnitude. The volume of material in the trains represents 1–6 m of glacial erosion of the bedrock. Glacial cirques and short U-shaped valleys, about 100–200 m deep, are incised into the McGerrigle Mountains granite pluton as well as the adjacent metabasalt. The corresponding trains are aligned with these erosional features, indicating that their clast content was derived from those features during an early Alpine Glacier Phase. The southeasterly trending dispersal trains are associated with an invasion of central Gaspésie by the Laurentide Ice Sheet during the Early Wisconsinan, whereas the northeasterly trending trains are associated with a local centre of outflow over Gaspésie during the Late Wisconsinan.

Absence of Glaciation in Illinois during Marine Isotope Stages 3 through 5

1996 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Brandon Curry ◽  
Milan J. Pavich
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Argillic Horizon ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Lake Michigan Lobe

A10Be inventory and14C ages of material from a core from northernmost Illinois support previous interpretations that this area was ice free from ca. 155,000 to 25,000 yr ago. During much of this period, from about 155,000 to 55,000 yr ago, 10Be accumulated in the argillic horizon of the Sangamon Geosol. Wisconsinan loess, containing inherited 10Be, was deposited above the Sangamon Geosol from ca. 55,000 to 25,000 yr ago and was subsequently buried by late Wisconsinan till deposited by the Lake Michigan Lobe of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The Sangamonian interglacial stage has been correlated narrowly to marine oxygen isotope substage 5e; our data indicate instead that the Sangamon Geosol developed during late stage 6, all of stages 5 and 4, and early stage 3.

Pleistocene stratigraphy, paleopedology, and paleoecology of a multiple till sequence exposed on the Little Bear River, Western District of Mackenzie, N.W.T., Canada

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. L. Hughes ◽  
C. Tarnocai ◽  
C. E. Schweger
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Canadian Shield ◽  
Laurentide Ice Sheet ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
River Section ◽  
Valley Glacier ◽  
Bear River ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

The Little Bear River section lies in a transition zone between Mackenzie Lowland and Canyon Ranges of Mackenzie Mountains. Within the transition zone, the maximum extent of the Laurentide ice sheet overlaps the former extent of montane glaciers that emanated from the higher parts of Canyon Ranges or from the still higher Backbone Ranges to the southwest. Five montane tills, each with a paleosol developed in its upper part, indicate five separate glaciations during each of which a valley glacier emanating from the headwaters of Little Bear River extended eastward into the transition zone. The uppermost of the montane tills is overlain by boulder gravel containing rocks of Canadian Shield origin deposited by the Laurentide ice sheet.Solum and B horizon depths, red colours, and lack of leaching and cryoturbation indicate that although each successive interglacial interval was cooler than the preceding one, even the last of the intervals was warmer than the Holocene. Climatic conditions during one of the intervals inferred from the paleobotanic data, particularly spruce forest development, are consistent with conditions inferred from the associated paleosol.The uppermost of the montane tills is thought to correlate with till of Reid (Illinoian) age in central Yukon. The paleosol developed on that till is, accordingly, thought to correlate with the Diversion Creek paleosol developed on drift of Reid age. The Laurentide boulder gravel is assigned to a stade of Hungry Creek Glaciation of Late Wisconsinan age. The Laurentide ice sheet reached its apparent all-time western limit during the Hungry Creek Glaciation maximum.

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