DOCSLIB.ORG

Paleohydrology of the Western Outlets of Glacial Lake Duluth

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Paleohydrology of the Western Outlets of Glacial Lake Duluth : . :·:... ' : ;. Jhi torapkifun & tMs W21:$ Zttyp1.wh-,d, ih fiward 1:tt }J.s 1 to 111tot:her- oubtattdittB _g:r1tdrtate stttdt:itt · t}i.t ikivt f ot ratfL1tf ;>JiJb1 l)ttlu11t. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA This is to certify that I have examined this bound copy of a master's thesis by Scott James Carney and have found it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made HOWARD MOOERS Name of Facility Advisor Signature of Facility Advisor Date GRADUATE SCHOOL PALEOHYDROLOGY OF THE WESTERN OUTLETS OF GLACIAL LAKE DULUTH A THESIS SUBMITIED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Scott James Carney IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE September, 1996 ABSTRACT Glacial Lake Duluth occupied the western end of the Lake Superior Basin, dammed between the retreating Superior lobe and a series of moraines. Lake Duluth is identified by a series of discontinuous strandlines observed throughout the western portion of the lake basin. Two prominent outlets have long been recognized, the Portage outlet in Minnesota, which drained southward along the Kettle channel, and the Brule outlet in Wisconsin, which drained along the St. Croix channel. However, the relative role of each outlet in the drainage of the lake has never been adequately explained. The Brule and Portage outlets formed early during ice retreat and they drained small ice marginal lakes. Further ice retreat allowed the small lakes to coalesce forming Lake Duluth. Because of isostatic tilting, the Lake Duluth strandlines rise about 0.5 meters per kilometer eastward between the Portage and Brule outlets from 323 m to 335 m. After adjustment for rebound, the Brule outlet is estimated to be about 10 m below the elevation of the Portage outlet. The paleodischarge of the outlets and their associated channels was estimated using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water surface modeling package, HEC-2. Inputs to the model included topographic cross-section of the outlets and channels constructed at 1500 meter spacing from the lake outlets to a distance of 60 km downstream. Analysis of glaciofluvial sediments were used to estimate a range of Manning's roughness coefficients. The model was run with various discharges to construct stage/discharge relations. Maximum lake discharges were detennined by minimum channel cross sections. To check the validity of the discharge estimates, an atmospheric energy-balance approach utilized to estimate potential maximum meltwater availability. Peak channel discharges estimated using HEC-2 and peak summer meltwater production form the energy-balance approach are in remarkably close agreement, ranging from 30,000- 45,0000 m3/s. The Brule outlet served as the primary drainage channel for Lake Duluth. Stage/discharge relations indicate that the Portage outlet could only have been active during the peak of seasonal meltwater II production or because of extraordinary inputs of water. III TABLE OF CONTENTS TI1LE .............................................................................................. I ABS'fRACT ...................................................................................... II TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................... IV LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................ VI LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................. IX LIST OF APPENDICES ....................................................................... X ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................... XI INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 Late Quaternary Glacial history of the Western Lake Superior Basin ................. 5 METHODS OF INVESTIGATION Geomorphic Analysis ...................................................................... 21 Field Investigation .......................................................................... 21 Laboratory Methods Channel Geometry ..................................................................... 22 Paleohydrological Analyses The Manning Equation ............................................................ 23 Largest Clast Discharge Calculations ........................................... 24 Development of Stage/Discharge Rating Curves .............................. 27 Water-Surface Profile Modeling (HEC-2) ................................. 27 Specified Variables for HEC-2 Modeling .................................. 30 Correction for Differential Rebound ........................................ 32 Independant Confirmation of Estimated Discharge............................ 32 RESULTS ....................................................................................... 35 General Geomorphology and Channel Geometry St. Croix Channel characteristics Geomorphology of the Island Lake quadrangle ............................... 37 Geomorphology of the Webb Lake quadrangle................................ 41 Channel geometry relationships ...................................................... 44 Channel sediment descriptions ....................................................... 46 Kettle Channel characteristics General geomorphology and channel geometry .................................... 46 Channel geometry relationships ...................................................... 48 Channel sediment descriptions Kettle Channel sediments......................................................... 51 Pre-Lake Duluth channel sediments ............................................. 55 Paleohydrologic calculations .............................................................. 55 The Manning Equation ................................................................ 55 Largest clast calculations .............................................................. 57 Energy Balance discharge ............................................................. 60 Isostatic adjustment ........................................................................ 60 HEC-2: Water surface profile modeling ................................................. 63 DISCUSSIONS ................................................................................. 65 Channel history St. Croix Channel. ..................................................................... 66 Kettle Channel. ......................................................................... 70 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................... 75 REFERENCES APPENDIX A APPENDIXB APPENDIXC PLATE 1 LIST OF FIGURES 1 Geography Of Field Area ......................................................................... 2 2 Geographic locations of the study area .......................................................... 3 3 Phases of glaciation in Minnesota 3a Bedrock topography ......................................................................... 6 3b Deposition of Hawk Creek till .............................................................. 6 3c Deposition of Granite Falls till. ............................................................ 6 3d Hewitt phase of the Wadena lobe .......................................................... 6 3e St. Croix phase ............................................................................... 7 3f Erosion of tunnel valleys by subglacial streams .......................................... 7 3g Deposition of eskers in tunnel valleys ..................................................... 7 3h Automba phase ............................................................................... 7 3i Spilt Rock-Pine City phase ................................................................. 8 3j Bemis phase .................................................................................. 8 3k Nickerson-Alborn phase .................................................................... 8 31 Formation of Lake Agassiz ................................................................. 8 4 Phases of glaciation in Wisconsin 4a Tiger Cat advance ............................................................................ 9 4b Hayward advance ............................................................................ 9 4c Swiss advance ................................................................................ 10 4d Airport advance ............................................................................... 10 4e Lake Ruth advance ........................................................................... 11 4 f Porcupine advance ........................................................................... 11 4g Lake View advance .......................................................................... 12 5 Channelized outwash of the Minong Quadrangle .............................................. 14 6 Drainage Sequence of Lake Koochiching and Lakes Aitkin II and Upham II .............. 15 7 Lake Superior Region ............................................................................. 18 8 Water level curves in the Lake Superior Basin ................................................. 19 9 Channel dimension measurements ............................................................... 25 10 Total conveyance for a cross section ............................................................ 30 11 Glacial lake shoreline features ...................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Indiana Glaciers.PM6
    How the Ice Age Shaped Indiana Jerry Wilson Published by Wilstar Media, www.wilstar.com Indianapolis, Indiana 1 Previiously published as The Topography of Indiana: Ice Age Legacy, © 1988 by Jerry Wilson. Second Edition Copyright © 2008 by Jerry Wilson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2 For Aaron and Shana and In Memory of Donna 3 Introduction During the time that I have been a science teacher I have tried to enlist in my students the desire to understand and the ability to reason. Logical reasoning is the surest way to overcome the unknown. The best aid to reasoning effectively is having the knowledge and an understanding of the things that have previ- ously been determined or discovered by others. Having an understanding of the reasons things are the way they are and how they got that way can help an individual to utilize his or her resources more effectively. I want my students to realize that changes that have taken place on the earth in the past have had an effect on them. Why are some towns in Indiana subject to flooding, whereas others are not? Why are cemeteries built on old beach fronts in Northwest Indiana? Why would it be easier to dig a basement in Valparaiso than in Bloomington? These things are a direct result of the glaciers that advanced southward over Indiana during the last Ice Age. The history of the land upon which we live is fascinating. Why are there large granite boulders nested in some of the fields of northern Indiana since Indiana has no granite bedrock? They are known as glacial erratics, or dropstones, and were formed in Canada or the upper Midwest hundreds of millions of years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Louis River Natural Area to the DULUTH NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM DATE: 3/7/19
    NOMINATION OF THE St. Louis River Natural Area TO THE DULUTH NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM DATE: 3/7/19 Nominated by: City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Division This report was produced by the Minnesota Land Trust under contract to the City of Duluth and funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant number GL00E02202. Many organizations and individuals participated in a variety of ways as collaborators to the report. St. Louis River Natural Area Nomination DRAFT 3/7/19 Table of Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................1 Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................2 − Land Ownership ......................................................................................................................... 2 − Scientific Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 3 References ................................................................................................................................. 10 Figures .......................................................................................................................................12 Appendices ................................................................................................................................36
    [Show full text]
  • Quarrernary GEOLOGY of MINNESOTA and PARTS of ADJACENT STATES
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Ray Lyman ,Wilbur, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. C. Mendenhall, Director P~ofessional Paper 161 . QUArrERNARY GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA AND PARTS OF ADJACENT STATES BY FRANK LEVERETT WITH CONTRIBUTIONS BY FREDERICK w. SARDE;30N Investigations made in cooperation with the MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1932 ·For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. CONTENTS Page Page Abstract ________________________________________ _ 1 Wisconsin red drift-Continued. Introduction _____________________________________ _ 1 Weak moraines, etc.-Continued. Scope of field work ____________________________ _ 1 Beroun moraine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 47 Earlier reports ________________________________ _ .2 Location__________ _ __ ____ _ _ __ ___ ______ 47 Glacial gathering grounds and ice lobes _________ _ 3 Topography___________________________ 47 Outline of the Pleistocene series of glacial deposits_ 3 Constitution of the drift in relation to rock The oldest or Nebraskan drift ______________ _ 5 outcrops____________________________ 48 Aftonian soil and Nebraskan gumbotiL ______ _ 5 Striae _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 48 Kansan drift _____________________________ _ 5 Ground moraine inside of Beroun moraine_ 48 Yarmouth beds and Kansan gumbotiL ______ _ 5 Mille Lacs morainic system_____________________ 48 Pre-Illinoian loess (Loveland loess) __________ _ 6 Location__________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents. Letter of Transmittal. Officers 1910
    TWELFTH REPORT OFFICERS 1910-1911. OF President, F. G. NOVY, Ann Arbor. THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Secretary-Treasurer, GEO. D. SHAFER, East Lansing. Librarian, A. G. RUTHVEN, Ann Arbor. CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING VICE-PRESIDENTS. HELD AT Agriculture, CHARLES E. MARSHALL, East Lansing. Geography and Geology, W. H. SHERZER, Ypsilanti. ANN ARBOR, MARCH 31, APRIL 1 AND 2, 1910. Zoology, A. S. PEARSE, Ann Arbor. Botany, C. H. KAUFFMAN, Ann Arbor. PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE Sanitary and Medical Science, GUY KIEFER, Detroit. COUNCIL Economics, H. S. SMALLEY, Ann Arbor. BY PAST-PRESIDENTS. GEO. D. SHAFER DR. W. J. BEAL, East Lansing. Professor W. H. SHERZER, Ypsilanti. BRYANT WALKER, ESQ. Detroit. BY AUTHORITY Professor V. M. SPALDING, Tucson, Arizona. LANSING, MICHIGAN DR. HENRY B. BAKER, Holland. WYNKOOP HALLENBECK CRAWFORD CO., STATE PRINTERS Professor JACOB REIGHARD, Ann Arbor. 1910 Professor CHARLES E. BARR, Albion. Professor V. C. VAUGHAN, Ann Arbor. Professor F. C. NEWCOMBE, Ann Arbor. TABLE OF CONTENTS. DR. A. C. LANE, Tuft's College, Mass. Professor W. B. BARROWS, East Lansing. DR. J. B. POLLOCK, Ann Arbor. Letter of Transmittal .......................................................... 1 Professor M. H. W. JEFFERSON, Ypsilanti. DR. CHARLES E. MARSHALL, East Lansing. Officers for 1910-1911. ..................................................... 1 Professor FRANK LEVERETT, Ann Arbor. Life of William Smith Sayer. .............................................. 1 COUNCIL. Life of Charles Fay Wheeler.............................................. 2 The Council is composed of the above named officers Papers published in this report: and all Resident Past-Presidents. President's Address—Outline of the History of the Great Lakes, Frank Leverett.......................................... 3 On the Glacial Origin of the Huronian Rocks of WILLIAM SMITH SAYER.
    [Show full text]
  • The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry
    The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry Editors-in-Chief:O.Hutzinger·D.Barceló·A.Kostianoy Volume 5 Water Pollution Part T Advisory Board: D.Barceló·P.Fabian·H.Fiedler·H.Frank·J.P.Giesy·R.A.Hites M. A. K. Khalil · D. Mackay · A. H. Neilson · J. Paasivirta · H. Parlar S. H. Safe · P.J. Wangersky The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry Recently Published and Forthcoming Volumes Degradation of Synthetic Chemicals Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Environment in the Great Lakes VolumeEditor:A.Boxall Volume Editor: R. A. Hites Vol. 2/P, 2009 Vol. 5/N, 2006 Contaminated Sediments Antifouling Paint Biocides Volume Editors: T. A. Kassim and D. Barceló VolumeEditor:I.Konstantinou Vol. 5/T, 2009 Vol. 5/O, 2006 Environmental Specimen Banking Estuaries Volume Editors: S. A. Wise and P.P.R. Becker VolumeEditor:P.J.Wangersky Vol. 3/S, 2009 Vol. 5/H, 2006 Polymers: Chances and Risks The Caspian Sea Environment Volume Editors: P. Eyerer, M. Weller Volume Editors: A. Kostianoy and A. Kosarev and C. Hübner Vol. 5/P, 2005 Vol. 3/V, 2009 Marine Organic Matter: Biomarkers, The Black Sea Environment Isotopes and DNA Volume Editors: A. Kostianoy and A. Kosarev Volume Editor: J. K. Volkman Vol. 5/Q, 2008 Vol. 2/N, 2005 Emerging Contaminants from Industrial and Environmental Photochemistry Part II Municipal Waste Volume Editors: P. Boule, D. Bahnemann Removal Technologies and P. Robertson Volume Editors: D. Barceló and M. Petrovic Vol. 2/M, 2005 Vol. 5/S/2, 2008 Air Quality in Airplane Cabins Emerging Contaminants from Industrial and and Similar Enclosed Spaces Municipal Waste VolumeEditor:M.B.Hocking Occurrence, Analysis and Effects Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Synergistic Approach to Measuring Lake Properties Using Satellite and In-Situ Remote Sensing
    Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications Michigan Tech Research Institute 2009 Synergistic approach to measuring lake properties using satellite and in-situ remote sensing Robert A. Shuchman Michigan Technological University Guy Meadows Michigan Technological University Liza K. Jenkins Michigan Technological University Chuck Hatt Michigan Technological University John F. Payne NSSI Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/mtri_p Part of the Fresh Water Studies Commons Recommended Citation Shuchman, R. A., Meadows, G., Jenkins, L. K., Hatt, C., & Payne, J. F. (2009). Synergistic approach to measuring lake properties using satellite and in-situ remote sensing. IAGLR 52nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/mtri_p/120 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/mtri_p Part of the Fresh Water Studies Commons 52nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research International Association for Great Lakes Research Abstract Book BRIDGINGG EcosystemsEcosystems and EnvironmentalEnvironmental HealthHealth across our GREAT LAKES Monday May 18 - Friday May 22 2009 University of Toledo - Toledo OHIO UT Abstracts of the 52nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, May 18-22, Toledo, OH ACKERMAN, J.D. and LI, J., Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 3A7. A Review of Graduate Programs in the “Environmental Sector” in Canada. This review of graduate programs in the environmental sector was undertaken to examine the distribution and characteristics of training in Canada. Three categories of Environmental Graduate Programs were distinguished: (1) Environmental Science programs, which are science based and integrate natural, physical and social sciences; (2) Environmental Studies Programs, which are humanities based; and (3) Discipline-based programs, which examine environmental issues within a single disciplinary perspective.
    [Show full text]
  • Acid Rain and Transported Air Pollutants: Implications for Public Policy
    Acid Rain and Transported Air Pollutants: Implications for Public Policy May 1984 NTIS order #PB84-222967 Recommended Citation: Acid Rain and Transported Air Pollutants: Implications for Public Policy (Washington, D. C.: U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, OTA-O-204, June 1984). Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 84-601073 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 Foreword Transported air pollutants have been the topic of much debate during the Clean Air Act delibera- tions of the 97th and 98th Congresses. The current controversy over acid rain—the most publicized example of transported pollutants—focuses on the risks to our environment and ourselves versus the costs of cleanup. Since 1980, the committees responsible for reauthorizing the Clean Air Act—the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works—have called on OTA many times for information about the movements, fate, and effects of airborne pollutants, the risks that these transported air pollutants pose to sensitive resources, and the likely costs of various proposals to control them. Over the course of the debate, OTA has provided extensive testimony and staff memoranda to the requesting committees, and published a two-volume technical analysis, The Regional Implications of Transported Air Pollutants, in July 1982. This report synthesizes OTA’s technical analyses of acid rain and other transported pollut- ants, and presents policy alternatives for congressional consideration. OTA’s work over the last several years has enabled us to forecast with reasonable accuracy the cost of controlling pollutant emissions, and, for each of the many pending legislative proposals, who will pay those costs.
    [Show full text]
  • 2003 Lake Superior Monitoring and Notification Program and Related
    2003 LAKE SUPERIOR PILOT BEACH MONITORING and NOTIFICATION PROGRAM and RELATED LAKE SUPERIOR PROGRAMS Minnesota Pollution Control Agency May 2004 Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring and Notification Program 525 South Lake Avenue, Suite 400 Duluth, MN 55802 800-657-3864 Introduction Although Minnesota is rich in lakes and streams, it is easy to VULNERABILITY pick out the most spectacular water body in or adjacent to Despite its immense size, Lake Superior is surprisingly Minnesota: Lake Superior. In 2003 a little tarnish, or bacteria vulnerable. Lake Superior’s year-round cold temperatures in this case, blemished the image of the glorious Great Lake. (averaging 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and small amount of The bacteria were discovered by entering nutrients result in a the Minnesota Pollution Control simple and fragile food Agency (MPCA), in partnership chain. Because Lake with the three counties along Superior is nourished by Lake Superior’s North Shore, forests and watered by which began a beach monitoring streams, changes on the land and notification program. become changes in the lake. We find algae blooms in High counts of indicator Lake Superior bays, bacteria found in a handful of decreasing clarity in the Lake Superior beach water lake’s western arm, quality samples surprised both contaminated sediment in MPCA staff and the public. the Duluth-Superior harbor Most people thought that the (one of the lake’s 43 Areas lake is too clear and cold to of Concern) and toxic support bacteria, and even if contaminants building up in some fecal contamination the food chain. reached the lake, it would be diluted to safe levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic History of Minnesota Rivers
    GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF MINNESOTA RIVERS Minnesota Geological Survey Ed ucational Series - 7 Minnesota Geological Survey Priscilla C. Grew, Director Educational Series 7 GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF MINNESOTA RIVERS by H.E. Wright, Jr. Regents' Professor of Geology, Ecology, and Botany (Emeritus), University of Minnesota 'r J: \ I' , U " 1. L I!"> t) J' T II I ~ !oo J', t ' I' " I \ . University of Minnesota St. Paul, 1990 Cover: An early ponrayal of St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River In Minneapolis. The engraving of a drawing by Captain E. Eastman of Fan Snelling was first published In 1853; It Is here reproduced from the Second Final Report of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, 1888. Several other early views of Minnesota rivers reproduced In this volume are from David Dale Owen's Report of a Geological Survey of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota; and Incidentally of a portion of Nebraska Territory, which was published In 1852 by Lippincott, Grambo & Company of Philadelphia. ISSN 0544-3083 1 The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. 1-' \ J. I,."l n 1 ~ r 1'11.1: I: I \ 1"" CONTENTS 1 .... INTRODUCTION 1. PREGLACIAL RIVERS 5 .... GLACIAL RIVERS 17 ... POSTGLACIAL RIVERS 19 . RIVER HISTORY AND FUTURE 20 . ... REFERENCES CITED iii GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF MINNESOTA RIVERS H.E. Wright, Jr. A GLANCE at a glacial map of the Great Lakes region (Fig. 1) reveals that all of Minnesota was glaciated at some time, and all but the southeastern and southwestern corners were covered by the last ice sheet, which culminated about 20,000 years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of Biofiltration Media in Treating Industrial Stormwater Runoff
    Comparison of Biofiltration Media in Treating Industrial Stormwater Runoff A Thesis SUBMITTED TO FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Kristofer Phillip Isaacson IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE Dr. Steven Sternberg, Dr. Chan Lan Chun July 2019 ©Kristofer Phillip Isaacson 2019 Acknowledgements I would like to express gratitude towards several people who contributed substantially to this project. Firstly, Dr. Steven Sternberg and Dr. Chan Lan Chun who served as my advisors and provided excellent guidance and constant encouragement. Thank you also to Dr. Guy Sander for serving on my thesis committee. Additionally, I’d like to thank the entirety of the Chun research group for providing suggestions and support along the way. Finally, I’d like to thank both the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant, and MnDrive for project funding. Funding from these institutions made this work possible. i Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Patty and Steve Isaacson for their unwavering support, and to my close friends who helped keep me sane through the duration of this project. ii Abstract Biofiltration systems have become one of the most commonly used best management practices in dealing with stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is inherently variable, with the contaminants present depending greatly on the land use of the catchment basin. This study characterized the stormwater collected from an industrial site in northeastern Minnesota. It was determined the pollutants of concern for this site are dissolved heavy metals (Aluminum, Copper, Iron) and bacteria. Different media exhibit different strengths and weaknesses in the removal of pollutants in these biofiltration systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes
    35133_Geo_Michigan_Cover.qxd 11/13/07 10:26 AM Page 1 “The Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes” is written to augment any introductory earth science, environmental geology, geologic, or geographic course offering, and is designed to introduce students in Michigan and the Great Lakes to important regional geologic concepts and events. Although Michigan’s geologic past spans the Precambrian through the Holocene, much of the rock record, Pennsylvanian through Pliocene, is miss- ing. Glacial events during the Pleistocene removed these rocks. However, these same glacial events left behind a rich legacy of surficial deposits, various landscape features, lakes, and rivers. Michigan is one of the most scenic states in the nation, providing numerous recre- ational opportunities to inhabitants and visitors alike. Geology of the region has also played an important, and often controlling, role in the pattern of settlement and ongoing economic development of the state. Vital resources such as iron ore, copper, gypsum, salt, oil, and gas have greatly contributed to Michigan’s growth and industrial might. Ample supplies of high-quality water support a vibrant population and strong industrial base throughout the Great Lakes region. These water supplies are now becoming increasingly important in light of modern economic growth and population demands. This text introduces the student to the geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes region. It begins with the Precambrian basement terrains as they relate to plate tectonic events. It describes Paleozoic clastic and carbonate rocks, restricted basin salts, and Niagaran pinnacle reefs. Quaternary glacial events and the development of today’s modern landscapes are also discussed.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Glacial Sedimentation and History of the Lake Nipigon Basin
    Document generated on 10/02/2021 11:56 a.m. Géographie physique et Quaternaire Late Glacial Sedimentation and History of the Lake Nipigon Basin, Ontario Sédimentation tardiglaciaire et évolution du bassin du lac Nipigon, en Ontario Spätglaziale Sedimentablagerung und Geschichte des Nipigon-Seebeckens, Ontario Rick M. Lemoine and James T. Teller Volume 49, Number 2, 1995 Article abstract The Lake Nipigon basin lies north of the Lake Superior basin and was the URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/033039ar hydrological link between glacial Lake Agassiz and the Great Lakes during part DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/033039ar of the last deglaciation. A sequence of glaciolacustrine sediments, composed mainly of silt-clay rhythmites and sand, was deposited in the offshore waters of See table of contents glacial Lake Nipigon by overflow from Lake Agassiz and meltwater from the retreating glacier margin. Sections from six long sediment cores and four lake bluff exposures reveal a sandy (early deglacial) lower section that is overlain Publisher(s) by 300 to 850 silt-clay rhythmites (varves). Deposition of these varves, as well as coarser sediment along the western shore, began after 9200 BP, as the glacial Les Presses de l'Université de Montréal margin retreated northward along the continental divide that separated the Nipigon basin from the higher Lake Agassiz basin to the west. The absence of ISSN ice rafted clasts in the rhythmites suggests that the ice had retreated from the lake by the time they were deposited. On the basis of their elevation in relation 0705-7199 (print) to the lowest raised beach at West Bay, which formed about 9000 BP, most 1492-143X (digital) rhythmites probably were deposited between 9000 and 8000 BP.
    [Show full text]