Although cross-cutting relationships could not be defined at every site with the criteria described in Methods, a sequence of regional ice flow events has been determined for the reconstruction of glacier flow. At least five distinct regional ice movements are recorded in the Kivalliq Region and are described below from oldest (1) to youngest (5):

1. Southwest
   The earliest flow was to the southwest, and spanned the entire region. From earlier work, this flow extends as far west as the Dubawnt River and as far north as the Back River (outside the study area) and the Laughland Lake map sheet (NTS 56K)
2. South
   The southwestward flow was succeeded by a regional southward flow. Evidence for this event has been recorded by earlier workers and includes the presence of Dubawnt erratics in Manitoba. The extent of this flow north of the study area is unknown.
3. East-Southeast
   Prior to ice flow associated with the Keewatin Ice Divide, regional east-southeastward flow from a dome/ice divide located west of the study area spanned the entire region. Lithological composition of till and clast fabric studies in multiple-till sections south of Baker Lake indicates an early east-southeastward flow.
4. North-northwest
   Evidence for a north-northwest flow was found in the western part of the study area, as far east as Kaminuriak Lake. Erratics of Proterozoic dolomite (Hurwitz Group) found in the Yathkyed Lake greenstone belt are interpreted to indicate northward transport from Imikula Lake. This flow is significant in that it implies that a zone of out flow existed southeast of the Keewatin Ice Divide, possibly in the Kaminak Lake area.
5. Ancestral/Keewatin Ice Divide
   The last regional event was to the SE from a divide located north and west of the Keewatin Ice Divide itself. As the divide migrated to its last position, the flow reversed to the WNW on the NW side of the divide. Deviation of flow from the SE in other parts of the region are related to the arcuate configuration of the divide: the latest, dominant flow is more southward in the northern parts of MacQuoid and Gibson Lakes map areas, and more eastward in the Ferguson Lake map area. Late convergence of flow towards eskers is common within 3-4 km wide corridors on either sides of esker ridges.

CONCLUSIONS:

The systematic mapping of ice-flow indicators on bedrock in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut has provided new evidence for major shifts in the position of ice-flow centres during the Wisconsinan. The record of successive glacial flows as indicated by cross-striations and other evidence of multiple ice flows challenges the view that the Keewatin Ice Divide was fairly static, long-lived feature of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in central Keewatin. Evidence was found supporting the existence of at least 4 distinct glacial flows of regional significance preceding the flows associated with the final decay of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.

To date, this work represents the most comprehensive and detailed study of its kind within the Keewatin Sector of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. It builds on knowledge gained in the last two decades that indicate the erosional record is a comprehensive record of glacial history spanning a significant period of time. It has not only better defined ice flows inferred by others in the Arctic mainland, but has identified evidence for new, previously unrecognized ones.