Surficial Landforms

Anthropogenic Landforms (ANT)

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  AGR
  Rehabilitated pitAggregate mining area where mining operations are completed and which has been restored to minimize environmental impacts

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  ED
  Wet pondPond constructed to allow decantation of solids from mining operations

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  GSA
  Pit (inactive)Aggregate mining area where mining activities have been completed

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  GS
  Pit (active)Aggregate mining area where mining activities are ongoing

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  GSG
  Pit (large)Large-scale aggregate mining area

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  MCA
  Mine or quarry (inactive)Area used for the extraction of building materials and metallic, non-metallic or industrial substances and where mining operations are completed

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  MC
  Mine or quarry (active)Area used for the extraction of building materials or metallic, non-metallic or industrial substances and where operations are ongoing

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  MCG
  Mine or quarry (large)Large area where building materials or metallic, nonmetallic or industrial substances are extracted

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  RM
  TailingsArea covered by mining-related tailings

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  TE
  Peat-bog miningNatural or anthropogenic wetland characterized by the accumulation of organic matter (sphagnum moss) and where mining operations are ongoing

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  ZR
  Embankment areaArea covered or filled by other materials as a result of human activity

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Aeolian Landforms (EOL)

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  DUNE
  DuneAeolian ridge formed by the accumulation of wind transported sediment

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  FEND
  Eolian feature (undifferentiated)Deposit affected by wind-associated remobilization whose exact morphology could not be identified

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Slope Landforms (VER)

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  CGT
  Landslide scar (direction of movement)Landslide scar

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  CNA
  Avalanche coneAccumulation of avalanche-associated material which indicates its maximum extension

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  CE
  Scree coneDeposit located at the base of a slope and produced as a result of rock fracturing by frost, gravity or water action

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  CD
  Debris-flow trackMaterial flow composed of liquid and solid phases. Differs from a landslide which occurs almost exclusively in fine materials (clay, silt)

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  CLA
  Avalanche trackArea where materials (snow, ice, stone) have been remobilized by an avalanche

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  GP
  Retrogressive thaw flowRockslide limited to a specific corridor and affecting a thin layer of surface sediment on steep rocky slopes (>35°)

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  TE
  Scree slopeRubble composed of materials of various sizes that are arranged in a tabular fashion at the foot of a slope

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  ZG
  Zone reworked by landslidesArea where sediments have been reworked by a landslide

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  AS
  Zone covered with a thin layer of weathered shaleSlope covered with shale or clay which prevented water from penetrating the soil and caused the surface layers to slip

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Periglacial Landforms (PER)

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  LAB
  Ploughing boulderGroove created on a slope by a block subjected to solifluxion movements that are faster than those in the surrounding surface

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  CBL
  Boulder fieldRelatively flat area covered by a more or less dense concentration of pebbles and boulders

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  DT
  Thermokarst depressionLand surface depression caused by the melting of ice at depth in permafrost areas

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  FE
  FelsenmeerField of monomictic blocks formed by bedrock fracturing due to freeze-thaw action

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  GR
  Rock glacierMass composed of rock fragments in an ice matrix that moves very slowly downslope

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  LPER
  Limit of permafrostDistribution limit of permafrost characterized by a permanently frozen ground

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  LG
  Gelifluction- or solifluction-lobeVery slow movement of material downslope due to increased pore water content during thaw periods and gravity processes

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  OST
  OstioleSmall circular mud pool consisting of fresh, silty to clayey material. Formed by liquefaction following a cryoturbation process

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  BC
  Palsa or lithalsaSteeply sloping cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens in a peaty (palse) or mineral (lithalse) soil

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  PING
  PingoDome-shaped cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens covered with soil and reaching up to 50 m high

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  PINR
  Rock pingoDome-shaped cryogenic mound associated with the growth of a segregating ice lens developing in frost-fractured bedrock

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  SP
  Polygonal groundTypical shape of periglacial environments resulting from convection movements associated with the formation of segregated ice lenses

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  SOS
  Striped groundSurface 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 pebbles

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  SST
  Patterned groundSoil with geometric shapes or patterns (circles, polygons, steps or stripes) resulting from freeze-thaw processes

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  THU
  Turf hummockDecimetric to metric earth mound, often vegetated, formed by cryoturbation

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Alluvial Landforms (ALL)

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  CC
  Fluvial channel (direction known)Channel made by fluctuations in the bed of a watercourse. Known direction of flow

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  CFEI
  Fluvial channel (direction unknown)Channel made by fluctuations in the bed of a watercourse. Unknown direction of flow

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  CA
  Alluvial fanConical deposit transported by a watercourse and deposited at the foot of a steep slope

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  CGL
  Ice-pushed-ridgePile 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 tides

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  BA
  Alluvial bar or leveeAlluvial accumulation forming a bulge at the edge of a watercourse. Deposition by a watercourse or during floods in an alluvial plain

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  RM
  Ravine (minor)Small gully formed in fine sediment caused by the erosion of a stream

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  RR
  Ravine scarpEscarpment related to a gully system that defines its head or periphery

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  TF
  Fluvial terrace scarpEscarpment related to the formation of a terrace by a stream

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

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  CDLP
  Overflow channelChannel resulting from the episodic or catastrophic discharge of a proglacial lake or the connection between two glaciolacustrine water bodies

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  CDG
  Glaciomarine diamict sectionSedimentary section characterized by an accumulation of glacial sediments deposited directly in a glaciomarine basin due to its proximity to the ice margin

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  CP
  Beach crestRidge 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 elevation

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  DIND
  Delta (undetermined)Accumulation 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 unknown

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  DP
  Delta (small)Accumulation 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 known

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  FLIT
  SpitLong, narrow strip of sand deposited by longshore currents that extends offshore to form a free, hook-shaped point

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  GEG
  Wave cut terraceStep 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 phase

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  LDEL
  Washing limitUpper 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 lines

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  LGLAC
  Glaciolacustrine limitMaximum extension limit of a glaciolacustrine water body

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  LGMAR
  Glaciomarine limitMaximum extension limit of a glaciomarine water body after its invasion

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  LL
  Lacustrine limitMaximum extension limit of a lacustrine water body

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  LM
  Marine limitMaximum extension limit of a marine water body

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  PBLO
  Boulder beachA ridge of pebbles and boulders, washed out by wave action, as an elevation mark of a body of water at a given time

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  RT
  Terrace scarpEscarpment related to the erosive action of a body of water and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given period

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  RTL
  Glaciolacustrine or lacustrine terrace scarpEscarpment related to the erosive action of a glaciolacustrine water body and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given period

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  RTM
  Glaciomarine or marine terrace scarpEscarpment linked to the erosive action of a glaciomarine water body and whose position (and therefore elevation) generally marks its maximum extension at a given period

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  SF
  Fossil observation siteSite characterized by its notably rich and diverse fossil content

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  TOMB
  TomboloA sandy barrier beach built by coastal currents and linking an island to the coast

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  TSI
  Iceberg scourA groove left by the passage of an iceberg as its base scrapes the bottom of a body of water

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Glaciofluvial Landforms (FLU)

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  CBD
  Washed block fieldBoulder 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 paleochannels

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  CFIC
  Undifferentiated meltwater channel (direction known)Elongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock, the exact mode of formation of which cannot be determined. Known direction of flow

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  CFII
  Undifferentiated meltwater channel (direction unknown)Elongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock, the exact mode of formation of which cannot be determined. Unknown direction of flow

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  CJ
  Ice-contact channelElongated groove carved by meltwater in loose sediments or bedrock at the margin of a glacier

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  CHELD
  Lateral channel (uphill right)Meltwater-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 right

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  CHELG
  Lateral channel (uphill left)Meltwater-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 left

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  CHEM
  Marginal channelElongated groove carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock at the margin or submargin of a glacier

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  CP
  Proglacial channelElongated groove carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock in a generally frontal position and perpendicular to the glacier's margin

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  CPP
  Proglacial channel (small)Elongated groove (small) carved by meltwater into loose sediment or bedrock in a generally frontal position and perpendicular to the glacier's margin

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  DJ
  Kame deltaMarginal 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 side

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  PDRA
  Paleodrainage directionDirection and orientation of fluvioglacial water drainage

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  EC
  Esker (direction known)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Known direction of flow

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  EI
  Esker (direction unknown)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Unknown direction of flow

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  EE
  Buried esker (direction known)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Partially or completely buried under glaciolacustrine or glaciomarine sediments. Known direction of flow

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  EEI
  Buried esker (direction unknown)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Partially or completely buried under glaciolacustrine or glaciomarine sediments. Unknown direction of flow

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  ERC
  Reworked esker (direction known)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Reworked by water or wind after the initial deposition. Known direction of flow

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  ERI
  Reworked esker (direction unknown)Elongated, narrow and sinuous ridge formed by fluvioglacial sediments deposited by meltwater. Reworked by water or wind after the initial deposition. Unknown direction of flow

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  GK
  Kettle (large)Large circular depression within a glaciofluvial deposit, often filled by a lake. These depressions result from the melting of buried ice blocks

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  K
  KameSand and gravel mound with steep slopes and variable height formed by the accumulation of fluvioglacial sediments in the depressions of a glacier

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  PCSG
  Minor subglacial channel (direction known)Small, elongated groove carved by the flow of glacial water under the glacier. Known direction of flow

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  PCSGI
  Minor subglacial channel (direction unknown)Small, elongated groove carved by the flow of glacial water under the glacier. Unknown direction of flow

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  PK
  Kettle (small)Small circular depression within a glaciofluvial deposit, often filled by a lake. These depressions result from the melting of buried ice blocks

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  RCEF
  Meltwater channel scarpLarge, elongated groove carved in loose sediments or bedrock by meltwater. Terrace located on either edge of the channel

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  GCSG
  Subglacial channel scarp (large)Edge of a large channel carved by meltwater flowing under a glacier (subglacial gully). Terrace located on either edge of the subglacial channel

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  RGCP
  Proglacial meltwater channel scarpEdge of a large channel carved by meltwater flowing at the front of a glacier (subglacial gully). Terrace located on either edge of the subglacial channel

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  REN
  Piping depressionTunnel caused by a hydraulic gradient which caused the erosion of soil particles by percolation until a narrow duct formed

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  TJ
  Ice-contact terraceTerrace located on either edge of the subglacial channel

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Glacial Landforms (GLA)

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  AG
  ArêteLine of intersection of two glacial erosion surfaces

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  CGG
  Giant glacial grooveGiant concave and elongated groove in the ice flow direction

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  CIG
  Cirque headwallDeep, semi-circular depression bounded by very steep rock faces. Typical of alpine glaciers located at the head of glacial valleys

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  CMMA
  Major moraine ridgeMajor 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 dynamics

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  CMMI
  Minor moraine ridgeMinor topographic ridge formed of stratified or unstratified glacial and/or fluvioglacial material and deposited at the front of a glacier

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  CREV
  Crevasse filling ridgeRidge or mound formed by glacial sediments deposited in glacial faults and crevasses

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  DEGC
  Ice-flow direction (direction known)Known direction of ice flow

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  DEGI
  Ice-flow direction (direction unknown)Unknown direction of ice flow

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  DU
  DrumlinStreamlined 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 fields

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  DRUE
  Buried drumlinStreamlined landform composed of till with an asymmetrical profile and elongated in the ice flow direction. Buried and/or hidden under other sediments

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  DR
  Rock drumlinProfiled landform resulting from the erosion of bedrock by ice. Elongated in the ice flow direction

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  DROE
  Buried drumlinoidStreamlined landform composed of till or rock elongated in the ice flow direction. Buried and/or hidden under other sediments

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  LPGA
  Ice divide (approximate)A line that separates ice bodies flowing in opposite directions. Approximate position

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  LPGD
  Ice divide (defined)A line that separates ice bodies flowing in opposite directions. Defined position

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  LCG
  Ice-stream marginMaximum extent of an ice stream, which applies to high velocity flow

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  LGL
  Limit of glaciationLimit marking the maximum extension reached by an ice sheet during an ice age. This limit can indicate a maximum horizontal or vertical extent

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  MB
  Hummocky moraineHummocks and hollows usually formed along an active ice front or around a stagnant margin

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  MR
  Rogen moraineA 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 glaciers

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  MD
  Ablation moraineA ridge with no precise orientation formed of coarse to very coarse till. Resulting from the melting of decaying dead ice

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  MG
  De Geer moraineA 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 winter

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  RGL
  Glacial flutingSmall lineation or ridge of sediments elongated in the ice flow direction, usually in the form of several parallel ridges a few metres high and wide

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  SFTC
  Till fabric site (direction known)Site where the orientation of clasts was measured in the till to determine the direction and orientation of ice flow

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  SFTI
  Till fabric site (direction unknown)Site where the orientation of clasts was measured in the till to determine the direction and orientation of ice flow. The ice flow direction is unknown

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  TMF
  Crag and tailStreamlined 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 flow

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  TMD
  DrumlinoidStreamlined lanform composed of till or rock elongated in the ice flow direction and more or less tapering at both ends

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Bedrock Landforms (SOC)

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  ARI
  Small outcropIsolated outcrop identified in the field

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  ARP
  Probable outcropIsolated outcrop identified by photo-interpretation

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  DAG
  Annular depression (large)Large circular depression characterized by low forest density of black spruce stands

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  DA
  Annular depression (small)Small circular depression characterized by low forest density of black spruce stands

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  DLR
  Lineation in bedrockLinear depression directly linked to bedrock (fault, fracture, differential erosion, etc.)

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  DOL
  SinkholeClosed depression formed by the erosion and dissolution of limestone in a karstic context

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  DRP
  Dyke with positive reliefBlade of magmatic rock that cuts structures in the host rock, which by differential erosion may be in positive relief with respect to country rocks

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  RER
  Bedrock scarpTopographic ridge marking the edge of a cliff

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  REG
  RegolithUnconsolidated layer of rock completely altered by various processes. Covers unaltered bedrock

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  TOR
  TorProminent bedrock shape left by differential erosion of the rock

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  ZRG
  Regolitic rock areaArea displaying an unconsolidated layer of rock that is completely altered by various processes. Overlying unaltered bedrock

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