Geology of the north-central part of the Arctic Archipelago, Northwest Territories (Operation Franklin)

Fortier, Y O; Blackadar, R G; Glenister, Brian F.; Greiner, Hugo; McLaren, D. J.; McMillan, N. J.; Norris, A W; Roots, E F; Souther, J. G.; Thorsteinsson, R; Tozer, E T

doi:10.4095/100547

Cited by 60 publications

(34 citation statements)

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“…Geologically, the study area lies entirely within carbonate strata of the Upper Ordovician Allen Bay Formation, specifically the lower member, which comprises a uniform succession of medium bedded to massive limestone with dolomitic labyrinthine mottling (e.g., Osinski and Spray, 2005;Thorsteinsson and Mayr, 1987), and is overlain by quaternary glacial till (e.g., Dyke, 1999;Osinski and Spray, 2005). Depositional landforms such as eskers, and glacial deposits including glacier moraines and striations are rare on the plateau surface of Devon Island (Fortier et al, 1963) and only occur sporadically within the Haughton impact structure (Osinski and Spray, 2005).…”

Section: Other Characteristics Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels

Galofre

Jellinek

Osinski³

et al. 2018

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. Subglacial meltwater channels (N-channels) are attributed to erosion by meltwater in subglacial conduits. They exert a major control on meltwater accumulation at the base of ice sheets, serving as drainage pathways and modifying ice flow rates. The study of exposed relict subglacial channels offers a unique opportunity to characterize the geomorphologic fingerprint of subglacial erosion as well as study the structure and characteristics of ice sheet drainage systems. In this study we present detailed field and remote sensing observations of exposed subglacial meltwater channels in excellent preservation state on Devon Island (Canadian Arctic Archipelago). We characterize channel cross section, longitudinal profiles, and network morphologies and establish the spatial extent and distinctive characteristics of subglacial drainage systems. We use field-based GPS measurements of subglacial channel longitudinal profiles, along with stereo imagery-derived digital surface models (DSMs), and novel kinematic portable lidar data to establish a detailed characterization of subglacial channels in our field study area, including their distinction from rivers and other meltwater drainage systems. Subglacial channels typically cluster in groups of ∼10 channels and are oriented perpendicular to active or former ice margins. Although their overall direction generally follows topographic gradients, channels can be oblique to topographic gradients and have undulating longitudinal profiles. We also observe that the width of firstorder tributaries is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude larger than in Devon Island river systems and approximately constant. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with theoretical expectations drawn from analyses of flow driven by gradients in effective water pressure related to variations in ice thickness. Our field and remote sensing observations represent the first high-resolution study of the subglacial geomorphology of the high Arctic, and provide quantitative and qualitative descriptions of subglacial channels that revisit well-established field identification guidelines. Distinguishing subglacial channels in topographic data is critical for understanding the emergence, geometry, and extent of channelized meltwater systems and their role in ice sheet drainage. The final aim of this study is to facilitate the identification of subglacial channel networks throughout the globe by using remote sensing techniques, which will improve the detection of these systems and help to build understanding of the underlying mechanics of subglacial channelized drainage.

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Section: Other Characteristics Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels

Galofre

Jellinek

Osinski³

et al. 2018

The Cryosphere

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“…Studies of Cretaceous outcrops throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago by the Geological Survey of Canada (Fortier et al, 1963;Miall, 1979Miall, , 1991Embry, 1991) have shown that sediments on Devon Island represent deposition at the southern margin of the Sverdrup Basin; these deposits are part of the Arctic Platform, a thick succession of Lower Paleozoic strata that are capped unconformably by ~700 m of Mesozoic and Paleogene non-marine and marine clastic rocks (Tozer, 1961). The Cretaceous represents a remnant of the trangressive Mesozoic sedimentary cover that was removed by uplift, faulting and erosion during the Paleogene stages of development of the Sverdrup Basin (Thorsteinsson and Mayr, 1987;Ricketts and Stephenson, 1994).…”

Section: Study Area and Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic composition, paleoecology and biostratigraphy of Late Cretaceous diatoms from Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic

Witkowski

Harwood

Chin

2011

Cretaceous Research

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“…This source accounts for the common occurrence of Paleozoic limestone and dolostone clasts, and the presence of maroon pyroclastic rock (Hein era/., 1990), which resembles volcaniclastic rock east of Cape Hubbard ( Fig. 2) (Fortier et al, 1963). This sediment is fine-grained with less sand than Fades A. Granules are rare and pebbles were not observed (Fig.…”

Section: Descriptions and Interpretations Of Lithofaciesmentioning

confidence: 93%

Glacial-Marine Sedimentation, Canadian Polar Margin, North of Axel Heiberg Island

Hein¹,

Mudie²

2007

gpq

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Sediment cores, taken at depths of 140 to 300 m across the northwestern shelf of Axel Heiberg Island (82° N), record the deposition of sediments under perennial sea ice. Five sedimentary fades are recognized: (A) soft pebbly-sandy-mud with dropstone structures; (B) bioturbated silty muds; (C) wispy-laminated silty clay/clay; (D) laminated sands/silts and mud; (E) firm pebbly-sandy-mud with chaotic pebble fabrics. Other sediments include terrestrial bedrock of Paleogene Eureka Sound Group, and a younger Tertiary deposit, possibly the Beaufort Formation. Ages range from 1530 ± 60 BP (Fades A) to 9950 ± 80 BP (Fades D). Sedimentation rates vary as follows: - 0.8 cm ka-1, Fades B; 4 cm ka"\ Fades A; 90 cm ka-1, Fades C; 134 cm ka~', Fades D. The sedimentation history, as interpreted from the sedimentology, palynology and foraminiferal results, suggests intervals of more continuous ice cover, with a reduced influx of coarse ice-rafted detritus, alternating with more open water conditions, and high sediment input from meltwater and/or floating icebergs. Only marine sediments overlie Neogene bedrock in the cores. The absence of diamictons at the core sites suggests that grounded ice perhaps never occupied this part of the Axel Heiberg Island shelf. The interpreted history of sedimentation generally corresponds to the land-based record from Ellesmere Island, but differs significantly from marine-based studies in more southern latitudes.

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Geology of the north-central part of the Arctic Archipelago, Northwest Territories (Operation Franklin)

Cited by 60 publications

References 0 publications

Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels

Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels

Taxonomic composition, paleoecology and biostratigraphy of Late Cretaceous diatoms from Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic

Glacial-Marine Sedimentation, Canadian Polar Margin, North of Axel Heiberg Island

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