Quaternary geology of New Brunswick

Abstract
New Brunswick's main physiographic divisions, which broadly parallel the geology and tectonostratigraphic divisions, are the Edmundston Highlands, Chaleur Uplands, New Brunswick Highlands, and New Brunswick Lowlands. A variety of Quaternary materials overlie weathered and glaciated bedrock throughout the province as depicted on Map 1594A. Parts of the Northern Miramichi Highlands likely were glaciated only prior to the Wisconsinan as is suggested by the presence of well developed soils and periglacial features there. The Central Plateau of the Caledonian Highlands was probably glaciated in the Early to Middle Wisconsinan as is suggested by erosion patterns peripheral to the plateau. The Late Wisconsinan in New Brunswick has been divided into five phases: (1) the early Chignecto phase during which ice flow in eastern New Brunswick was dominated by the Escuminac Ice Centre in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; (2) the Bantalor and Sackville phases during which the Gaspereau Ice Centre on the New Brunswick Lowlands strongly influenced ice flow in eastern New Brunswick; (3) the Millville/Dungarvon phase during which ice flow in south-central New Brunswick was restricted to terrain adjacent to Saint John valley in western New Brunswick; (4) the Chaleur and Plaster Rock phases during which a glacier readvance in Baie des Chaleurs and the final deglaciation of northern New Brunswick occurred; and (5) the Madawaska phase during which Saint John River valley was occupied by a large lake or inland sea. A moraine near the maximum position of Bantalor ice at Saint John dates at 13.2 ka, and a diamicton deposited during the Chaleur phase dates at 12.4 ka. Deltas and other sea level indicators along the Bay of Fundy suggest a fluctuating relative water level of the DeGeer Sea during Late Wisconsinan deglaciation. East of Saint John, maximum submergence occurred during the Chignecto phase. Near Saint John, maximum submergence likely occurred during the early Bantalor phase, whereas west of Saint John, major deltas marking a second high relative sea level formed slightly later. Isostatic rebound at Saint John isolated a large inland sea in Saint John valley following 12.3 ka. Large glaciomarine deltas along Baie des Chaleurs were formed in the Goldthwait Sea after the Bantalor phase. The Holocene has been primarily characterized by alluvial infilling and terracing along major valleys, submergence of coastlines, and development of major peatlands.