Erosion of the Laurentide region of North America by glacial and glaciofluvial processes

Auteurs :
BELL, M.
LAINE, E. P.

Description :
Collection of seismic reflection data from continental margins and ocean basins surrounding North America makes it possible to estimate the amount of material eroded from the area formerly covered by Laurentide ice sheets since major glaciation began in North America. A minimum estimate is made of 1.62 10 km, or an average 120 m of rock physically eroded from the Laurentide region. The importance of continental glaciation as a geomorphic agency in North America may have to be reevaluated. Evidence from sedimentation rates in ocean basins surrounding Greenland and Antarctica suggests that sediment production, sediment transport, and possibly denudation by permanent ice caps may be substantially lower than by periodic ice caps, such as the Laurentide.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Quaternary research New York, 1985, vol. 23, n°. 2, p. 154-174, Références bibliographiques : 91 réf.

Date :
1985