CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Daly, J.F.; Kelley, J.T.; Belknap, D.F.; and Bell, T.
Date : 2001.
Title : Late Holocene sea-level change around Newfoundland.
Publication : St. John's 2001. Geological Association of Canada - Mineralogical Association of Canada 2001 Joint Annual Meeting / l'Association géologique du Canada - l'Association minéralogique du Canada réunion annuelle conjointe. Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, May 27-30 2001.
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Abstract
Salt-marsh records of sea-level change indicate variable trends around Newfoundland during the late Holocene. Published numerical models predict a range of Holocene sea-level histories for the island due to the passage of a decaying glacial forebulge from southeast to northwest. We investigated the stratigraphy of salt marshes at four locations around Newfoundland: a) Hynes Brook, Port-au-Port Peninsula, b) St. Paul's Inlet, c) Deadman's Bay, and d) Southeast Arm, Placentia. At each location, we collected cores and surficial samples for foraminiferal analysis, and leveled the sampling locations. Cores were analyzed for vegetation and fossil agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages. Fossil foraminiferal assemblages are compared to modern surficial assemblages, and interpreted to determine a paleo-elevation range for a basal peat sample. Sea-level histories for each location are constructed by combining AMS 14C dates with paleo-elevation ranges for a series of basal samples. Initial results indicate that differential sea-level change characterizes the late Holocene for Newfoundland. At three locations (Hynes Brook, Deadman's Bay, Southeast Arm) sea level has risen during this time. At St. Paul's Inlet, sea-level change during the late Holocene appears to have a more complex history. Sea level has remained close to present over the past 2,000 years, but may have experienced a subtle transition from falling to rising between 2000 and 1000 years BP. This trend contrasts strongly with the transgression interpreted at Hynes Brook, approximately 160 km to the southwest, and supports the hypothesis of continuing glacio-isostatic influence on the Northern Peninsula. In addition, the salt-marsh stratigraphy at each location was unique, emphasizing the influence of local processes on salt-marsh development and the stratigraphic record. The results of this study do not precisely constrain Holocene sea-level change for the Northern Peninsula, but do confirm the trends predicted by numerical models.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology