Glacial geomorphology of the central sector of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, Northern British Columbia, Canada

Northern British Columbia was repeatedly covered by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS) during the glacial periods. However, its mountainous terrain and remote location have thus far impeded our understanding of the central sector of the ice sheet. The improved resolution of remotely sensed data provide...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Maps
Main Authors: Helen E. Dulfer, Martin Margold
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2021.1937729
https://doaj.org/article/10660a4f7c184d868d6f51c3f25bb437
Description
Summary:Northern British Columbia was repeatedly covered by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS) during the glacial periods. However, its mountainous terrain and remote location have thus far impeded our understanding of the central sector of the ice sheet. The improved resolution of remotely sensed data provides new opportunities to unravel the glacial history of this inaccessible location. Here, we present a comprehensive map of glacial landforms for the central sector of the CIS (55° to 60° N). Seven landform categories were mapped: ice flow parallel lineations, moraines (CIS outlet glacier moraines, Late Glacial moraines and moraines of unknown origin), meltwater channels (lateral and submarginal, subglacial, proglacial, and meltwater channels of unknown origin), kame terraces, eskers (single ridges and esker complexes), perched deltas and subglacial ribs. Collectively, these landforms provide a record of the extent, thickness and behaviour of the CIS, the direction of its movement and pattern of ice retreat.