Late Quaternary Glaciation of the Eastern Queen Elizabeth Islands, N.W.T., Canada: Alternative Models

Abstract

It has been suggested that during the last glaciation the Innuitian Ice Sheet existed over the eastern Queen Elizabeth Islands. This is based on the pattern of postglacial emergence over this area and the timing of driftwood penetration into the interisland channels. Alternative interpretations of both sets of data raise questions about the presence of the Innuitian Ice Sheet at this time. Field observations on northeastern Ellesmere Island, plus additional data pertaining to the presence of multiple tills and “old” radiometric dates on lacustrine deposits, shelly tills, and raised marine features suggest that the maximum glaciation over this region, equivalent to the Innuitian Ice Sheet, predates the last glaciation, Palaeoclimatic conditions are also discussed in relation to these data. It is suggested that during the last glaciation of the Queen Elizabeth Islands there was a convergent but not coalescent advance of the existing upland ice-fields. This noncontiguous ice cover over the Queen Elizabeth Islands is termed the Franklin Ice Complex. It is suggested that the term Innuitian Ice Sheet be reserved for contiguous older glaciations over this same area.