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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Bulletin

Abstract


Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology
Vol. 39 (1991), No. 2. (June), Pages 211-211

"Glacial Sediments: Implications for Environmental Geology [Abstract]"

Fenton, M.M.1, Pawlowicz, J.G.1

ABSTRACT

Within the Canadian Plains, glacial diamicton (till) and glacially deformed sediment (bedrock and drift) are of fundamental importance to environmental geology, as both are widespread and the least understood of the Quaternary units. Progress during the late 1970's and 1980's enhanced understanding of these sediments. However, maximizing foreknowledge about the structure, stratigraphy, orientation, dimension, and hydrology of these deposits is one of the opportunities for the nineties.

Till may be massive or layered, may contain abundant sand lenses, may be cut by horizontal and vertical fracture sets, and may function as a good aquifer. Glaciotectonic sediment is characterized by large-scale folding and/or faulting, small-scale crushing with or without compaction, a basal shear zone, upglacier-dipping shear planes, and subvertical shear surfaces below the basal zone.

Ramifications of the above include: 1) increased stratigraphic variability; 2) increased potential for slope failure; 3) alteration of permeability and aquifer disruption; and 4) increased variability in pedogenic and geotechnical soil types. This has implications for, among other things, slope stability, land-fills, sumps, roads, pipelines, airstrips, settlements, land reclamation, soil degradation, casing depth, picking top of bedrock, groundwater recovery or contamination, and waste containment or disposal.

These sediment types and variations in their internal properties can now be detected by airphoto interpretation, pitwall and/or outcrop mapping, coring, downhole geophysical logging, and surface geophysics. One of the future challenges will be to obtain more quantitative information on the distribution and characteristics of these sediments.

End_of_Record - Last_Page 211-------

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FOOTNOTES

1 Alberta Research Council, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5X2

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