The Quaternary record of aeolian systems in mid- to high-latitudes

Stephen Wolfe (Geological Survey of Canada)

Nick Lancaster (Desert Research Institute)

Island biogeography in a changing world: an interdisciplinary roadmap from the Quaternary

 Melissa Kemp (Harvard University)

Alexis Mychajliw (La Brea Tar Pits and Museum)

Empirically testing paleoglaciological hypotheses and models

Jonathan E. Cripps (Simon Fraser University)

Tracy A. Brennand (Simon Fraser University)

Syntheses of human-environment interactions during the Holocene

Konrad Gajewski (University of Ottawa)

Michelle Chaput (University of Ottawa)

Mapping the Quaternary – Advances and applications of surficial geology mapping

Kristen Kennedy (Yukon Geological Survey)

Dan Utting (Alberta Geological Survey

Alain Plouffe (Geological Survey of Canada)

Reducing the “Time to Science”: Data Management in the Quaternary Sciences (lightning session 5 min talks)

Simon Goring (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

Michelle Chaput (University of Ottawa)

Konrad Gajewski (University of Ottawa)

Improving understanding of Quaternary Environments through multi-proxy, network, or statistical advances

Andria Dawson (Mt Royal University)

Simon Goring (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

The relict permafrost environment

Trevor Porter (University of Toronto - Mississauga)

Denis Lacelle (University of Ottawa)

Duane Froese (University of Alberta)

Changes in the wildfire regime and impact on ecosystem structure and function

Olivier Blarquez (University of Montreal)

Nicolas Pelletier (Carleton University)

High-resolution Records of the Common Era

Jeannine-Marie St-Jacques (Concordia University)

Matthew Peros (Bishop's University)

New Perspectives on the Use of Karst Basins for Paleoenvironmental Research: Implications for Paleoclimatology, Paleontology, and Archaeology

Matthew Peros (Bishop's University)

Eduard G. Reinhardt (McMaster University)

Anna Acosta G'meiner (Environmental Consultant, Toronto)

Geohazard processes and impacts: Landslides, Floods, Earthquakes, Permafrost and others

Andree Blais-Stevens (NRCan)

Michael Parkhill (ERD - New Brunswick)

Greg Brooks (Natural Resources Canada)

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The Application of Quaternary Science to Societal Issues in the 21st Century

Rolfe D. Mandel (University of Kansas)

Julio Betancourt (USGS)

Ester Sztein (The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine)

General Contributions

TBD

Reflections on John Shaw's career and contributions to geoscience

 Tracy Brennand

Peter Ashmore

Mandy Munro-Stasiuk

David Sharpe 

Leaders: Greg Brooks and Heather Crow (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa)

Thick deposits of glaciomarine silty-clay and clayey-silt sediments accumulated within the Champlain Sea between 13.9 and 11.5 cal ka BP and now underlie large areas of the Ottawa Valley.  These deposits are commonly geotechnically sensitive and prone to rapid, large (>1ha), retrogressive earth flows and earth spreads.  Approximately 250 sensitive clay landslides appear on surficial geology maps in the Ottawa Valley; most of the landslides are prehistoric in age.  Sensitive clay landslides are an important natural hazard regionally and caused loss of life and property. 

This one-day field trip will visit selected sensitive clay landslides west of Ottawa, including the massive Quyon Valley landslide, which is one of the largest sensitive clay landslides in eastern Canada.  Participants will learn about the Champlain Sea sediments, the geomorphology of sensitive clay landslides, and the evidence supporting paleoearthquakes as an important trigger of sensitive clay landslides. The field trip also is an excellent opportunity to see the local Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the Ottawa Valley.

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Maximum of 24 participants

$80.00 per person (all prices in Canadian dollars)

Leaders: Simon Goring (University of Wisconsin-Madison); Allan Ashworth (North Dakota State University); Andria Dawson (Mount Royal University); Konrad Gajewski (University of Ottawa)

This workshop is aimed at researchers looking to use data from the multi-proxy Neotoma Paleoecological Database (http://neotomadb.org) and for data managers and those interested in managing their data with and submitting their data to Neotoma.  Neotoma supports 28 data types including geochronological (e.g., 14C, 137Cs, 210Pb, and OSL dates), geochemical, geophysical, isotopic and biological proxy data. The workshop will consist of a morning session to walk participants through paleoecological workflows, highlighting the use of the new Neotoma web interface, and using R to directly access data from Neotoma in real time. Users with specific questions will be provided with assistance, code review and possible solutions to current data challenges. The afternoon will highlight Neotoma’s new DOI system, the use of Neotoma as a data management tool for grant proposals and long term archiving of paleoecological data, and how individuals can format and submit paleoecological data to Neotoma.

Free but registration for the workshop is required

Leaders: Kristen Kennedy (Yukon Geological Survey); Dan Utting (Alberta Geological Survey); Alain Plouffe (Geological Survey of Canada)

This is a more technical Quaternary mapping workshop to complement the Quaternary mapping session. Participants will learn and discuss some of the latest Quaternary mapping techniques. 

Free but registration for the workshop is required

Panel Participants: Rolfe Mandel (University of Kansas); Tony Layzell (Kansas Geological Survey); Cathy Whitlock (Montana State University); Christopher Hill (Boise State University & National Science Foundation); Steve Wolfe (Geological Survey of Canada); Jim Teller (University of Manitoba); Kendra McLauchlan (Kansas State University & the National Science Foundation)

Want to learn more about professional development as a Quaternary scientist? An early career mentoring panel followed by a mixer event will be held at the Mill St Brew Pub. Located on the scenic Ottawa River this event will provide an opportunity for attendees to get off Carleton's campus and meet other researchers in the Quaternary community. This event is sponsored by the U.S. National Committee (USNC) for Quaternary Research, INQUA, AMQUA, and CANQUA.  

Free

Leaders: Robert-André Daigneault, Martin Roy, Sylvain Milette and Michel Lamothe

The objective of this fieldtrip is to outline some of the major features of the deglaciation of the Outaouais region based on sedimentary sections and associated exposures present between the cities of Gatineau and Chénéville. The following themes will be addressed: regional ice flow history, succession of ice-front positions – including the one associated with the Saint-Narcisse Moraine, and the elevation and extent of the Champlain Sea.

Free but must register for trip (max of 22 participants)

Visit Mer Bleue, a 7,700 year old bog and an important conservation and research area within Ottawa. The 3,500-hectare conservation area is one of the most studied bogs in the world and has a northern ecosystem that is more typical of the Canadian north than of the Ottawa Valley. The hikes through this landscape are relatively easy with well cleared trails and boardwalks through the bog. Following Mer Bleue we will head to Beaus brewery in Vankleek Hill to learn about and sample some of eastern Ontario's finest craft beer.  

Free but must register for trip (max of 38 participants)

Leaders: Dave Sharpe and Hazen Russell

Several erosional forms on bedrock at Cantley, Quebec, differ from well-known glacial erosion forms. The forms mainly consist of hollows, depressions, and channels, which are interpreted to have been produced by rapid, sediment-laden, turbulent, meltwater flows under the glacier.  The meltwater erosion forms are different than, yet complementary to, classic erosion forms such as striations which are also present at the site.

The association of forms produced both by glaciofluvial erosion and ice abrasion suggests that the glacier was alternately lifted from, and reattached to, the bed during periodic subglacial meltwater floods. The action of such large meltwater floods on the ice sheet, streamlined landforms and down-flow landscapes will be discussed.

Free but must register for trip (max of 40 participants)

The André E. Lalonde Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Laboratory was designed for the analysis of isotopes at very low concentrations in natural materials and for research into new techniques and applications of this technology. The Lalonde Laboratory is located in University of Ottawa’s new Advanced Research Complex (ARC), a state-of-the-art, open-concept, research-only building designed to integrate students and researchers from across Canada and the world and to foster innovation and interdisciplinarity in the Geosciences and Photonics.

Following the AMS Laboratory tour, small groups will walk across and along the picturesque Rideau Canal to Canada’s Parliament for a ~40 minutes guided tour of the Centre Block. The iconic Centre Block is home to the Senate, House of Commons and Library of Parliament.  After the guided tour, get a bird’s eye view of the National Capital Region from the Peace Tower or visit the Memorial Chamber, which commemorates Canadians who have lost their lives in military service.

Free but must register for trip (max of 40 participants)

Experience the thrill of an underground trek in the vast Canadian Shield’s largest visited cave, 35 minutes from downtown Ottawa!  With geology that is accessible to everyone, the cave holds many surprises and discoveries. Its history is littered with astonishing anecdotes and mysteries.  The exploratory one-hour tour will push your limit to the maximum bringing you into narrow passage that gives access to big room never seen. Laflèche Adventure also offers clearly marked walking paths and mountain trails with scattered lookouts where the views of the Laurentian forest are simply breathtaking.

Free but must register for trip (max of 32 participants)

The Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park is a precious Canadian legacy. This 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada’s 10th and longest-serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. After spending almost 50 years (1903–1950) beautifying and expanding his property, King bequeathed his beloved estate to all Canadians.  From the moment you enter the Estate, you will feel as though you have been taken back to the early 1900s.  The private tour will give you the story of the Estate as told by one of the guide-interpreters from the Friends of the Gatineau Park. After the tour, take a relaxing stroll through the magnificent gardens, visit the historical ruins, or sit back and enjoy a cup of tea on the main veranda of the Mackenzie King Tearoom.  Or hike the Waterfall Trail and the Lauriault Trail for 3 km (1 hour). Several lookouts provide an opportunity to admire views of the Ottawa Valley and Ottawa River.

Free but must register for trip (max of 48 participants)

Bring your bathing suit and towel! From the sweep of the river, the Ottawa looks as majestic as when Champlain viewed it four centuries ago. This trip has everything - fun, education and just enough excitement to be thrilled at the end of the run. Starting at Britannia Beach, you practice with the guide in the flat water on the way downstream to the rapids. The trip starts off with a bang, the Deschenes Rapids. Looking back upstream, you can savor the experience and size of the rapid you just challenged. It's now time to relax a little as your guide keeps the raft in the current as you float along learning about the river. You can start to see Parliament Hill in the distance and it seems to rise magically as you paddle along.

Free but must register for trip (max of 40 participants)

Experience the best of Ottawa on a 2-hour Express Bike Tour (includes bicycle, helmet, a guide and water bottle).  The leisurely-relaxed 2-hour bike tour of Ottawa is about 12 kilometers (7.5 Miles) and shows you many of downtown Ottawa’s major attractions on beautiful and safe bicycle paths. Cycle through 2 provinces, see Rideau Falls, Governor General’s house at Rideau Hall and much more. After the guided tour, you will have some time to take a stroll on the By Ward Market or go for a coffee.

Free but must register for trip (max of 40 participants)

Canada’s bilingual capital city, Ottawa, is best explored on foot! A professional and knowledgeable guide will lead you on a 2-hour Historical Highlights walk around Ottawa’s most famous monuments explaining the city’s colourful history, its larger than life political characters and graceful architecture that lines its streets. This tour is the perfect opportunity to get to know Ottawa’s past, present and future with a entertaining and educational experience. Stops at Parliament Hill, National War Memorial, Sparks Street, Chateau Laurier, Rideau Canal, and By Ward Market.  After the guided tour, you will have some time to take a stroll on the By Ward Market or go for a coffee.

Free but must register for trip (max of 48 participants)

The conference banquet will be held at Carleton University and is included in the registration fee. More details will follow.

Leaders: : Nick Eyles (University of Toronto); Riley Mulligan (Ontario Geological Survey); Roger Paulen (Geological Survey of Canada); Shane Sookhan (University of Toronto)

Previous work has emphasized the role of ‘subglacial megafloods’ in the formation of drumlins, spillway systems, and large moraine systems in southern Ontario.  This field trip will show an alternative to why this model can be rejected by examining the geomorphic record left by former ice streams tracts within the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) between Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario that can be resolved and mapped using high resolution DEMs and LiDAR imagery.  This exercise shows that deglaciation of LIS in its eastern Great Lakes sector after c. 14,400 yrs BP saw the onset of several fast flowing ice streams in southern Ontario and adjacent parts of New York State (NYS). This event postdates deposition of the Valley Heads Moraine at the southern Finger Lakes in NYS and is coeval with the previously recognized St. Lawrence Ice Stream flowing east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence pointing to region-wide reorganisation of flow within the ice sheet.  Regional warming during the Bölling-Alleröd warm interval, topographic confinement and the presence of large ice frontal lakes appear to have been keys to the onset of fast flow.  Ice stream corridors are recorded by megascale glacial lineations on rock and sediment indicating a common erosional origin; they are part of a bedform continuum with drumlins; ‘channeled drumlins’ are an intermediate morphotype recording lowering of high standing asperities (drumlins) to form a lower relief megalineated bed. The 160 km long Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) was formed between the convergence of the Simcoe and Halton ice streams just after 13,300 yrs BP preceding the formation of glacial Lake Iroquois. New subsurface data from ORM from deep drilling also inspires a review of past models and supports the new paradigm of LIS deglacial history.

$565/participant (includes coach bus, accommodations, 2 lunches and drinks); Max 40 participants