Glacial History of the Eastern Mealy Mountains, Southern Labrador

Abstract

Two continental glaciations, both considered Wisconsin in age have been noted in the eastern Mealy Mountains. The earlier ice sheet reached a minimum elevation of 3,000 feet (925 m.) and may have overtopped the summit plateaus of 4,000 feet (1,240 m.). The ice moved from west to east. The vertical limit of the later ice sheet varied from 2,300 feet (710 m.) in the west to 1,800 feet (555 m.) in the east. Cirques were carved prior to both glaciations. The development of active glaciers with pronounced end moraines, subsequent to the second and later glaciation, was restricted to cirques oriented towards the east and southeast. Cirque glacier re-advances have probably not occurred within the last few hundred years.