CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results
Author : Green, D.E.C.
Date : 1986.
Title : The land Quaternary history of Russell Island, N.W.T.
Publication : Unpublished M.Sc. thesis. University of Alberta, Dept. of Geography, Edmonton, Alta.
Issue :
Page(s) : 123 p.
Abstract
The late Quaternary history of Russell Island was investigated by mapping its surficial geology and reconstructing the pattern of postglacial emergence. The surface materials are divided into 10 genetic units. Till covers 53 percent of the island; rock 25 percent; raised marine beaches 20 percent and glaciofluvial, aluvial and other marine sediments cover the remaining area. Like other parts of the central Arctic, older Quaternary glaciations are recognized by the widespread dispersal of crystalline erratics northward from the mainland onto Russell Island. During the maximum of the late Wisconsin, the M'Clintock Ice Divide, located immediately west of Russell Island, dispersed ice throughout the central Arctic. Striae indicate that ice flowed eastward from the M'Clintock Ice Divide across Russell Island. This dispersal pattern spread fine-grained calcareous material over the clastic bedrock of the eastern part of the island. Deglaciationcommenced about 11,300 B.P. in the central Arctic. During this time, the centre of ice dispersal shifted with respect to Russell Island, first to the east and then to the south. This resulted in the formation of striae that record deglacial flows which moved north and northwestward across Russell Island. The northwestward deglacial flow was particularly erosive, re-distributing the original carbonate materials and forming features such as roches moutonnees and flutings found on the eastern uplands. The final ice margin of the deglacial flows deposited the Russell Island End Moraine and a kame complex in the central uplands of Russell Island.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology