CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Kasper, J.N.
Date : 1994.
Title : Ice wedges as indicators of climatic change in northern Quebec [Les coins de glace comme indicateurs de changements climatiques au Québec nordique]
Publication : Fourth National Student Conference on Northern Studies : Conference programme and abstracts, Government Conference Centre, Ottawa, November 26-27, 1994 = Quatrième conférence nationale des étudiants en études nordiques : Calendrier des événements et sommaires, Centre de Conférence du Gouvernement, Ottawa, du 26 au 27 novembre 1994. - Ottawa
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Abstract
In the Foucault River valley on the north coast of Quebec, just off the Hudson Strait, multiple ice wedge polygon networks were studied to examine evidence of climatic change since the end of the continental glaciation. The valley was covered by ice and subsequently by the post-glacial d'Iberville Sea until as late as 4800 BP. As the valley emerged from the sea, climatic conditions allowed the establishment of permafrost. Vegetation was slow to colonize the valley, and aeolian conditions dominated for long periods of time. In keeping with the periglacial climate, ice wedge networks began to grow out of frost fissures on the newly emergent surfaces. These networks have persisted through 5 subsequent climatic periods, two warm and three cold phases. These periods are recorded in the sedimentary and organic deposits surrounding the various ice wedges. The current climatic phase is a cold phase of growth, seen by the multiple stages topping many ofthe ice wedges excavated within the valley. Use of a Ground Penetrating Radar helped to locate and determine the size of various wedges within the substrate under different hydrological and sedimentological conditions. Analysis of the resultant data proved the usefulness of this geophysical tool for locating buried ground ice bodies.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology