Abstract

The Bar Hill-Whitchurch-Wrexham (BHWW) moraine complex is a major landform resulting from the incursion of a lobe of the former British-Irish ice-sheet into the Cheshire Basin. Several theories have been postulated for its origin, but the lack of exposure does not allow discrimination between these. A multi-disciplinary approach involving a suite of geophysical techniques including ground penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction, combined with more conventional landform mapping and sedimentological analyses has enabled constraint of the moraine's key characteristics. Combining in-situ measurements of resistivity for key glacio-sedimentary facies with a more extensive ERT survey has enabled mapping of the spatial distribution of the glacio-fluvial and diamicton facies. GPR and seismic refraction techniques have been applied in order to identify major interfaces between glacio-sedimentary units. GPR has successfully identified a thrust imbricate sequence, suggesting thrust deformation up to 400m distal of the former ice margin. This integrated application of geophysical techniques has enabled the identification of the BHWW moraine as large glacio-tectonic landform generated by ice push and it is hoped this study will stimulate further geophysical research in formerly glaciated regions with poor exposure.

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