Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Geological Survey of Canada > Diamonds
Mineralogical and geochemical signatures of kimberlites in glacial sediments, Kirkland Lake, Ontario Regional ice flow patterns
Several phases of Wisconsinan ice flow that predate the Late Wisconsinan Cochrane readvances are preserved in the regional striation record. The oldest ice flow crossed the region towards the west-northwest (280°) and likely was associated with the growth of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Ice flow then shifted counterclockwise to west-southwest (220-240°) during the main phase of the last glaciation. Towards the end of glaciation, ice flow around Kirkland Lake shifted to the south (160-180°) and finally to the southeast (120-160°) towards the Harricana Moraine. All phases of ice flow are likely associated with erosion and transport of kimberlitic debris. Eskers formed during the final stage of glaciation transported kimberlite clasts and indicator minerals at least 35 m down stream (south) from the kimberlites.
Regional ice flow patterns (from Veillette and McClenaghan, GSC Open File 3033, 1996).
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