Fabric Analysis of a Core from the Meighen Ice cap, Northwest Territories, Canada

Abstract

Ice samples from a 121 m core, representing the total thickness of the Meighen Ice Cap near its highest point, were studied for ice fabric, firn- and dirt-layer distribution. The absence of a strongly preferred fabric between the surface and the base of the ice cap at the core site suggests an absence of past or present ice movement at this point. From the variations of ice texture, am- and dirt-layer distribution with depth it is concluded that the ice cap post-dates the climatic optimum and has never been much thicker than it is at present. There is a possible relic ablation surface at a depth of 50 m which is estimated to be at least 500–600 years old.