Glacial history and stratigraphy of the Alberta portion of the Kananaskis Lakes map area
Deposits of till, glaciofluvial, and glaciolacustrine sediments representing four glaciations are recognized in the Alberta portions of the Kananaskis Lakes 1:250 000 map sheet (82J). The oldest episode is represented by scattered erratics and patches of till above 1400 m in the Porcupine Hills. Thi...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1980
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e80-043 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e80-043 |
| Summary: | Deposits of till, glaciofluvial, and glaciolacustrine sediments representing four glaciations are recognized in the Alberta portions of the Kananaskis Lakes 1:250 000 map sheet (82J). The oldest episode is represented by scattered erratics and patches of till above 1400 m in the Porcupine Hills. This episode involved nonsynchronous advances of Laurentide and Rocky Mountain ice sheets. The next glacial episode involved coalescence of Rocky Mountain and Laurentide ice in the eastern Foothills, north of the Porcupine Hills. The Rocky Mountain Maycroft Till, the Laurentide Maunsell Till, and the glaciolacustrine Chain Lakes Clays and Silts were deposited during this episode. The next glaciation involved the last coalescence of Rocky Mountain and Laurentide ice sheets in the vicinity of the study area. The Rocky Mountain Bow Valley Till and the mixed Rocky Mountain – Laurentide provenance Erratics Train Till were deposited during this episode along with the Foothills Erratics Train. The latest glaciation involved an advance of the Laurentide ice sheet to the eastern margin of the study area and Rocky Mountain valley glaciers to the mountain front. One readvance of Rocky Mountain valley glaciers during retreat is recognized. The glaciolacustrine Midnapore Silts and Clays were deposited due to Laurentide ice damming of Bow River valley while the Canmore and Eisenhower Junction Tills were deposited by valley glaciers. On the basis of land mammal chronology, the two oldest glaciations are believed to be Illinoian in age. Radiocarbon evidence indicates the Erratics Train Glaciation to be at least Early Wisconsinan in age and the post-Erratics Train to be of Late Wisconsinan age. |
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