Texture and composition of till derived from parent rocks of contrasting textures: Southeastern Newfoundland

Abstract

Twenty-four samples of Late Wisconsin ice-cap till, which is locally derived from parent rocks of contrasting texture, were found to be different in composition but similar in texture. Comparison of this till with continental ice-sheet and valley glacier deposits suggest initial or limited comminution of rock by glacial action results in till consisting of a continuous spectrum of particle sizes regardless of parent rock type, although it is possible that the fundamental nature of the comminution process by ice-caps and valley glaciers differs from that by continental ice-sheets.