CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Athnos, N.; Morrell, C.; Havholm, K.; Running, G.L.; and Wiseman, D.J.
Date : 2003.
Title : Geologic and geographic investigation of Holocene terraces along the lower South Saskatchewan River, Central Saskatchewan, Canada.
Publication : 99th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers. New Orleans, Louisiana, March 5-8, 2003.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to provide archaeologists with a better understanding of the aerial extent, stratigraphy, and geoarchaeological significance of fluvial landforms within the South Saskatchewan River valley, from St. Louis, Saskatchewan downstream to the confluence with the North Saskatchewan River. The study reach is located within the Forks Locality, central Saskatchewan, one of four archaeologically-rich, ecologically complex localities across the Canadian Prairies under investigation by SCAPE (Study of Cultural Adaptations within the Prairie Ecozone). Aerial photographic interpretation and dGPS data were combined using ARCGIS software to map Holocene fluvial terraces identified in the study reach. Stratigraphy and sedimentology of terrace deposits were investigated by describing, photographing, and sampling (for detailed laboratory analyses) Geoprobe cores and cutbank exposures. Four terraces (T1-T4) and an active floodplain (T0) are observed in the study reach. T0 through T2 are Holocene in age (0-2000 BP, 2000-4000 BP, and 4000 to 8000 BP respectively) and are composed of a silty vertical accretion facies with numerous thin, weakly expressed buried soil profiles over sand and gravel lateral accretion facies. Abandonment of these terraces and subsequent incision resulted from adjustments to local base level changes controlled by glacial Lake Agassiz. T3 and T4 are cut into till or glaciolacustrine deposits and are graded to levels of glacial lakes Saskatchewan and Agassiz during terminal late-Pleistocene deglaciation. Future geoarchaeological research should focus on T0-T2. These deposits are most likely to contain well-preserved in situ cultural remains and associated materials suitable for detailed paleoenvironmental analysis.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology