As early as the late 1800's, when the glacial theory was born, the nature of glaciation in Nova Scotia was being debated. Did glacial ice originate locally, or was it part of a great continental mass that crossed the Bay of Fundy? Today, in most continent-wide interpretations, a relatively simple model is advocated.

A vast sheet of ice, centred in Hudson Bay or Quebec is believed to have overridden much of Maritime Canada. This single glaciation model - one major advance and generally linear retreat - contrasts with the terrestrial record of successive glacial advances from shifting ice centres in the Maritimes themselves.

The major features of the landscape - the overall relief, the highland, upland and lowland areas - are the product of a long geological history. The minor features - rounding of the surface, surficial deposits such as drumlin hills, and sea-level changes - are the product of glacial activity during the Quaternary Period. The most recent phase of glaciation ended about 10,000 years ago.

This Document Includes:

The Glacial History of Nova Scotia

Ice-Flow Phases
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4

Offshore margins of Flow Phases
Deglaciation
Rebound and Sea-Level Rise
Relative Sea level Change

Sangamon Sea Levels
Late Wisconsin Sea Levels
Holocene Sea Levels

Download PDF File (107k, 7 pages, 5 figures)
Download PDF File of Figure T3.3.5 (185k, 1 pull-out section, Major events of the Quaternary Period)

Additional Keywords:
Quarternary, glaciers, Fundy Stade, drumlin fields, glacial striations, Escuminac Ice Centre, Scotian Ice Divide, erratics, moraines, ablation till, glaciofluvial sediments, Scotian Shelf Moraine System, Beaver River Till, residual ice, Ice Age, ice sheet, Sheet Harbour, isostatic uplift, Advocate Harbour, Sable Island

Associated Topics

T3.1 Development of the Ancient Landscape
T3.4 Terrestrial Glacial Deposits and Landscape Features
T3.5 Offshore Bottom Characteristics
T7.3 Coastal Landforms