Clement J. Benteau

B. Sc. Honours Thesis

Late Quaternary Glacial History of Eastern Continental Slope of the Grand Banks.

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Two twelve metre piston cores were collected from intercanyon areas of the continental slope off the south-western Grand Banks in water depths of 1400 and 1600 metres. These are the first cores in this region (to the author's knowledge) which completely penetrate the late Wisconsin glacial sediments and thus are of prime importance in understanding the effects of glaciation in this area. Study of the climatic indicator Globigerina Pachyderma revealed glacial turbidite sands bounded on either side of interstadial silty muds. The partial penetration of a second sand body of one of the two cores may indicate a second glacial period. The cores were subdivided into four units, units A and C representing interstadial periods (A being Holocene), Units B and D representing glacial periods.

Ice rafted pebbles are found throughout both cores being more abundant in Unit B which represents the late Wisconsin glaciation. The pebbles are believed to originate from the Labrador Sea or Western Grand Banks areas and have been associated with the Labrador current. The main Laurentian ice sheet and Local Newfoundland ice by-passed the area, following prevailing currents.

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Pages: 99
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