Glacial geomorphology of the northern Kivalliq region, Nunavut, Canada, with an emphasis on meltwater drainage systems

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a glacial geomorphological map of glacial lineations, ribbed terrain, moraines, meltwater channels (subglacial and ice-marginal/proglacial), eskers, glaciofluvial deposits, ice-contact outwash fans and deltas and abandoned shorelines on the bed of the former Laurentide Ice Sheet in northern Canada. Mapping was compiled from satellite imagery and digital elevation data and landforms were digitised directly into a Geographical Information System. The map reveals a complex glacial history characterised by multiple ice-flow events, including fast-flowing ice streams. Moraines record a series of pauses or re-advances during overall SE retreat towards the Keewatin Ice Divide. The distribution of subglacial meltwater landforms indicates that several distinctive scales and modes of drainage system operated beneath the retreating ice sheet. This includes a large (>100 km) integrated network of meltwater channels, eskers, ice-contact outwash fans and deltas and glaciofluvial deposits that originates at the northern edge of Aberdeen Lake. The map comprises zone 66 of the Canadian National Topographic System, which encompasses an area of 160,000 km². It is presented at a scale of 1:500,000 and is designed to be printed at A0 size.

KEYWORDS:

• Laurentide Ice Sheet; glacial geomorphology; meltwater channels; Canada

Acknowledgements

We thank Janet Campbell and Dave Evans for detailed reviews which significantly improved the clarity of the manuscript and map. We thank John Abraham for his cartographic review which improved the presentation of the map.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Robert D. Storrar http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4738-0082

Stephen J. Livingstone http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7240-5037