LE3 .A278 1970

1970

Moore, Reg

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Geology

Earth & Environmental Sciences

The thesis area, Mullach Brook valley lies approximately on latitude 46 degrees 011 3011 N and longitude 61 degrees 8' 011: W in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Three different glacial units were exposed in the valley and the purpose of this thesis is to describe and interpret the quaternary stratigraphy in relation neighbouring areas and eastern North America. The composition of the lower till comprises Horton sediments which immediately underlies this till unit. The middle till consists of essentially meta-quartzites, diorites and granodiorites which were transported from the east. The upper till comprises Horton sediments with a source from the south east. The lower and middle till at Mullach Brook are indirectly correlated with the lower and upper till at Whycocomagh, on the bases of similarity in lithology and composition. The upper till at Mullach correlates either with the upper till at Whycocomagh or the till exposed at Benacadie. The above tentative correlation suggests an early Wisconsin glaciation at greater than 44,ooo years B.P. which deposited the lower till at Mullach Brook. Local ice which flowed radially outward from centres close to the Bras D'or Lakes deposited the middle till immediately after 44,000 years B.P. The upper till at Mullach Brook was either deposited by the same ice cap or by a much younger ice cap at 11,667 years B.P. The present drainage channel was established after final deglaciation and erosional activities continue to the present day.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3705