Surficial Landforms

The surface morphologies theme includes geomorphological features that characterize the territory. These features describe landforms, sediments or locations where specific data have been collected in the field. They are represented on surficial maps as a polygon, line or point and are superimposed on morphosedimentological areas. Surface morphologies are divided into several categories reflecting their origin (e.g. glacial landforms, alluvial landforms, etc.).

The list of symbols is also available in PDF format.

Anthropogenic Landforms (ANT)

Aeolian Landforms (EOL)

Slope Landforms (VER)

Periglacial Landforms (PER)

Alluvial Landforms (ALL)

(Glacio)lacustrine or (Glacio)marine Landforms (LAC)

Glaciofluvial Landforms (FLU)

Glacial Landforms (GLA)

Bedrock Landforms (SOC)

↑ Aggregate mining area where mining operations are completed and which has been restored to minimize environmental impactsPond constructed to allow decantation of solids from mining operationsAggregate mining area where mining activities have been completedAggregate mining area where mining activities are ongoingLarge-scale aggregate mining areaArea used for the extraction of building materials and metallic, non-metallic or industrial substances and where mining operations are completedArea used for the extraction of building materials or metallic, non-metallic or industrial substances and where operations are ongoingLarge area where building materials or metallic, nonmetallic or industrial substances are extractedArea covered by mining-related tailingsNatural or anthropogenic wetland characterized by the accumulation of organic matter (sphagnum moss) and where mining operations are ongoingArea covered or filled by other materials as a result of human activityAeolian ridge formed by the accumulation of wind transported sedimentDeposit affected by wind-associated remobilization whose exact morphology could not be identifiedLandslide scarAccumulation of avalanche-associated material which indicates its maximum extensionDeposit located at the base of a slope and produced as a result of rock fracturing by frost, gravity or water actionMaterial flow composed of liquid and solid phases. Differs from a landslide which occurs almost exclusively in fine materials (clay, silt)Area where materials (snow, ice, stone) have been remobilized by an avalancheRockslide limited to a specific corridor and affecting a thin layer of surface sediment on steep rocky slopes (>35°)Rubble composed of materials of various sizes that are arranged in a tabular fashion at the foot of a slopeArea where sediments have been reworked by a landslideSlope covered with shale or clay which prevented water from penetrating the soil and caused the surface layers to slipGroove created on a slope by a block subjected to solifluxion movements that are faster than those in the surrounding surfaceRelatively flat area covered by a more or less dense concentration of pebbles and bouldersLand surface depression caused by the melting of ice at depth in permafrost areasField of monomictic blocks formed by bedrock fracturing due to freeze-thaw actionMass composed of rock fragments in an ice matrix that moves very slowly downslopeDistribution limit of permafrost characterized by a permanently frozen groundVery slow movement of material downslope due to increased pore water content during thaw periods and gravity processesSmall circular mud pool consisting of fresh, silty to clayey material. Formed by liquefaction following a cryoturbation processSteeply sloping cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens in a peaty (palse) or mineral (lithalse) soilDome-shaped cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens covered with soil and reaching up to 50 m highDome-shaped cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens developing in frost-fractured bedrockTypical shape of periglacial environments resulting from convection movements associated with the formation of segregated ice lensesSurface morphology resulting from the deformation of polygonal soils on a slope under the influence of gravity or cryogenic processes. Forms a succession of large stretched strips of fine material separated by strings of pebblesSoil with geometric shapes or patterns (circles, polygons, steps or stripes) resulting from freeze-thaw processesDecimetric to metric earth mound, often vegetated, formed by cryoturbationChannel made by fluctuations in the bed of a watercourse. Known direction of flowChannel made by fluctuations in the bed of a watercourse. Unknown direction of flowConical deposit transported by a watercourse and deposited at the foot of a steep slopePile of materials (sand, gravel, boulder) deposited at the edge of a body of water or in a shallow area. Associated with the transport of materials by the push of floating ice due to wind, floods or tidesAlluvial accumulation forming a bulge at the edge of a watercourse. Deposition by a watercourse or during floods in an alluvial plainSmall gully formed in fine sediment caused by the erosion of a streamEscarpment related to a gully system that defines its head or peripheryEscarpment related to the formation of a terrace by a streamChannel resulting from the episodic or catastrophic discharge of a proglacial lake or the connection between two glaciolacustrine water bodiesSedimentary section characterized by an accumulation of glacial sediments deposited directly in a glaciomarine basin due to its proximity to the ice marginRidge marking the elevation level of a marine or lacustrine body of water at a given period. It is expressed by a succession of small ridges of low elevationAccumulation of cone-shaped sediment due to loss of competence of a tributary flowing into a water body, but for which the direction of the plaeocurrents is unknownAccumulation of cone-shaped sediment due to loss of competence of a tributary flowing into a water body for which the direction of the palaeocurrents is knownLong, narrow strip of sand deposited by longshore currents that extends offshore to form a free, hook-shaped pointStep that reflects the erosive action of waves associated with the presence of a proglacial lake. The position of these steps generally marks the extent of a given phaseUpper limit of erosion caused by the presence of a body of water. Characterized by a strip of rock exposed by wave action and generally parallel to contour linesMaximum extension limit of a glaciolacustrine water bodyMaximum extension limit of a glaciomarine water body after its invasionMaximum extension limit of a lacustrine water bodyMaximum extension limit of a marine water bodyA ridge of pebbles and boulders, washed out by wave action, as an elevation mark of a body of water at a given timeEscarpment related to the erosive action of a body of water and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given periodEscarpment related to the erosive action of a glaciolacustrine water body and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given periodEscarpment linked to the erosive action of a glaciomarine water body and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given periodSite characterized by its notably rich and diverse fossil contentA sandy barrier beach built by coastal currents and linking an island to the coastA groove left by the passage of an iceberg as its base scrapes the bottom of a body of waterBoulder zone produced by glacial meltwater that has completely washed out the till matrix. These areas are particularly concentrated in lower valleys or at the bottom of paleochannelsElongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock, the exact mode of formation of which cannot be determined. Known direction of flowElongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock, the exact mode of formation of which cannot be determined. Unknown direction of flowElongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock at the margin of a glacierMeltwater-generated channel formed at the edge of a glacier in loose sediment or bedrock. The channel is subparallel to topographic contours. The upstream side of the channel is on the rightMeltwater-generated channel at the edge of a glacier in loose sediments or bedrock. The channel is subparallel to topographic contours. The upstream side of the channel is on the leftElongated groove carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock at the margin or submargin of a glacierElongated groove carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock in a generally frontal position and perpendicular to the glacier's marginElongated groove (small) carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock in a generally frontal position and perpendicular to the glacier's marginMarginal deltaic accumulation formed by the circulation of meltwater in glacial crevasses that open out at the front of the glacier into a proglacial lake. Formed by both meltwater-transported granular material and deltaic sediment. Generally characterized by a steep upstream side (in contact with the margin) and a gentler downstream sideDirection and orientation of fluvioglacial water drainageElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Known direction of flowElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Unknown direction of flowElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Partially or completely buried under glaciolacustrine or glaciomarine sediments. Known direction of flowElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Partially or completely buried under glaciolacustrine or glaciomarine sediments. Unknown direction of flowElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Reworked by water or wind after the initial deposition. Known direction of flowElongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Reworked by water or wind after the initial deposition. Unknown direction of flowLarge circular depression within a glaciofluvial deposit, often filled by a lake. These depressions result from the melting of buried ice blocksSand and gravel mound with steep slopes and variable height formed by the accumulation of fluvioglacial sediments in the depressions of a glacierSmall, elongated groove carved by the flow of glacial water under the glacier. Known direction of flowSmall, elongated groove carved by the flow of glacial water under the glacier. Unknown direction of flowSmall circular depression within a glaciofluvial deposit, often filled by a lake. These depressions result from the melting of buried ice blocksLarge, elongated groove carved in loose sediments or bedrock by meltwater. Terrace located on either edge of the channelEdge of a large channel carved by meltwater flowing under a glacier (subglacial gully). Terrace located on either edge of the subglacial channelEdge of a large channel carved by meltwater flowing at the front of a glacier (subglacial gully). Terrace located on either edge of the subglacial channelTunnel caused by a hydraulic gradient which caused the erosion of soil particles by percolation until a narrow duct formedTerrace located on either edge of the subglacial channelLine of intersection of two glacial erosion surfacesGiant concave and elongated groove in the ice flow directionDeep, semi-circular depression bounded by very steep rock faces. Typical of alpine glaciers located at the head of glacial valleysMajor topographic ridge formed of stratified or unstratified glacial and/or fluvioglacial material and deposited at the front of a glacier. Generally marks a pause or period of stagnation in glacial dynamicsMinor topographic ridge formed of stratified or unstratified glacial and/or fluvioglacial material and deposited at the front of a glacierRidge or mound formed by glacial sediments deposited in glacial faults and crevassesKnown direction of ice flowUnknown direction of ice flowStreamlined landform composed of till with an asymmetrical profile and elongated in the ice flow direction. Drumlins can be isolated, but are usually grouped to form fieldsStreamlined landform composed of till with an asymmetrical profile and elongated in the ice flow direction. Buried and/or hidden under other sedimentsProfiled landform resulting from the erosion of bedrock by ice. Elongated in the ice flow directionStreamlined landform composed of till or rock elongated in the ice flow direction. Buried and/or hidden under other sedimentsA line that separates ice bodies flowing in opposite directions. Approximate positionA line that separates ice bodies flowing in opposite directions. Defined positionMaximum extent of an ice stream, which applies to high velocity flowLimit marking the maximum extension reached by an ice sheet during an ice age. This limit can indicate a maximum horizontal or vertical extentHummocks and hollows usually formed along an active ice front or around a stagnant marginA succession of closely spaced, parallel, undulating ridges, usually composed of till and perpendicular to the ice flow. Generally formed in subglacial positions in marginal areas of continental glaciersA ridge with no precise orientation formed of coarse to very coarse till. Resulting from the melting of decaying dead iceA succession of narrow, evenly spaced ridges perpendicular to the ice margin. Forms in a marginal position, either in a glaciolacustrine or glaciomarine water body, and marks a minor re-advance associated with a slightly positive mass balance during winterSmall lineation or ridge of sediments elongated in the ice flow direction, usually in the form of several parallel ridges a few metres high and wideSite where the orientation of clasts was measured in the till to determine the direction and orientation of ice flowSite where the orientation of clasts was measured in the till to determine the direction and orientation of ice flow. The ice flow direction is unknownStreamlined landform composed of till in the form of a crag-and-tail with a rock core and a tail of glacial sediments stretching downstream from the ice flowStreamlined lanform composed of till or rock elongated in the ice flow direction and more or less tapering at both endsIsolated outcrop identified in the fieldIsolated outcrop identified by photo-interpretationLarge circular depression characterized by low forest density of black spruce standsSmall circular depression characterized by low forest density of black spruce standsLinear depression directly linked to bedrock (fault, fracture, differential erosion, etc.)Closed depression formed by the erosion and dissolution of limestone in a karstic contextBlade of magmatic rock that cuts structures in the host rock, which by differential erosion may be in positive relief with respect to country rocksTopographic ridge marking the edge of a cliffUnconsolidated layer of rock completely altered by various processes. Covers unaltered bedrockProminent bedrock shape left by differential erosion of the rockArea displaying an unconsolidated layer of rock that is completely altered by various processes. Overlying unaltered bedrock