In:
Annals of Glaciology, International Glaciological Society, Vol. 42 ( 2005), p. 135-144
Abstract:
Evidence for ice streams in the Laurentide ice sheet is widespread. In the region of northern Keewatin and the Boothia Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada, palaeo-ice streams have been recognized, but their location, size and potential role in ice-sheet dynamics are poorly constrained. Based on the interpretation of satellite imagery, we produce a palaeo-ice-stream map of this region. Glacial directional landforms, eskers and moraines were mapped and integrated into landform assemblages using a glacial geological inversion model. Palaeo-frozen bed areas were also identified. Relative age of the geomorphic swarms was assessed by cross-cutting relationships and radiocarbon ages where available. Using this information we obtained a glaciologically plausible picture of ice-stream evolution within the northernmost Laurentide ice sheet. On the M’Clintock Channel corridor, three generations of pure ice streams are found. On Baffin Island and the Gulf of Boothia, glaciation was dominated by frozen-bed zones located on high plateaus and ice streams running along the troughs, i.e. topographic ice streams. A massive convergent pattern at the head of Committee Bay drained ice from both the Keewatin and Foxe sectors and was probably one of the main deglaciation channels of the Laurentide ice sheet. Finally, our results indicate that streaming flow was present in the deep interior of the Laurentide ice sheet, as recently shown for the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0260-3055
,
1727-5644
DOI:
10.3189/172756405781812925
Language:
English
Publisher:
International Glaciological Society
Publication Date:
2005
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2122400-6
SSG:
14
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