Palaeohydrographic reconstructions from strandplains of beach ridges in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract

Abstract The current temporal and spatial context of water-level change, drivers of change, and possible future scenarios of the Laurentian Great Lakes is controversial. Palaeohydrographs are being constructed from measured subsurface elevations of palaeo-swash zones and modelled ages in strandplains of beach ridges that are preserved in embayments along the lakes’ edge. More than 800 elevations and 200 ages have been collected from 15 strandplains to construct site strandplain palaeohydrographs. Palaeo-beach elevations from whole strandplains or sets of correlative palaeo-beaches within strandplains are then used to establish an outlet palaeohydrograph for each lake. Adjusting strandplain palaeohydrograph elevations to account for glacial isostatic adjustment and refining age models help define the outlet palaeohydrograph. Common basin-wide water-level patterns and changes in outlet location or conveyance can then be interpreted. Systematic patterns of elevation and geomorphic/sedimentologic properties in individual, groups and sets of beach ridges in strandplains suggest that long-term patterns of water-level change and sediment supply occurred on decadal, centennial and millennial scales. Outlet palaeohydrograph construction for Lake Superior revealed discrepancies between geological and historical rates of glacial isostatic adjustment. These differences are currently being investigated using new data from Lake Huron.