ABSTRACT

The Quaternary deposits occurring in part of southwestern Alberta were investigated to determine the sequence of glacial events and the synchroneity and direction of movement of the Rocky Mountain and Laurentide ice masses. In this area there is evidence of three major glacial episodes of decreasing magnitude (an episode consisting of one Mountain and one Laurentide advance). During each episode, the Mountain glaciers reached their maxima and receded considerably before the advance of Laurentide ice. One other less extensive advance, subsequent to the last major glacial episode, occurred in the Mountains.

Tills deposited by advances of Mountain ice, named in order of decreasing age, are the Albertan, Maycroft, Ernst and Hidden Creek tills. In accordance with the stratigraphy of Stalker (1963) the Laurentide tills are referred to as the Labuma, Maunsell and Buffalo Lake tills. The Saskatchewan Sands and Gravels underlie the Albertan Till in the Foothills and the Labuma Till on the Plains.

Stratigraphic, radiocarbon and palynologic evidence suggests that the three major glacial advances are pre - Classical Wisconsin in age whereas the Hidden Creek advance is Classical Wisconsin.