Seismic reflection stratigraphy of Lac Simard, Quebec, Canada: mass flow sedimentation in glacial Lake Barlow-Ojibway

Abstract

Lac Simard is a glaciated Shield basin situated in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone, an area of recurrent intraplate seismicity encompassing several densely populated areas. Previous works nearby have demonstrated that sediments preserved in lake basins hold the potential to serve as valuable archives of paleoseismicity. Correspondingly, a high-resolution chirp seismic reflection survey was conducted in Lac Simard, with results showing four acoustic facies (Af-1 to Af-4) within two stratigraphic successions (SS-1 and SS-2). The lowermost SS-1 is dominated by high-amplitude, laminated Af-2, interpreted as lateglacial varves deposited by suspension from primarily overflows and interflows during glacial lake ponding following deglaciation. Suspension deposition of Af-2 was episodically interrupted by stacked, chaotically bedded, weakly graded to opaque, channelled Af-3 interpreted as either debris flows or high-density turbidity currents. Presence of silt-clast breccias in Af-3 also suggests downslope collapse and reworking of varves from basin sidewalls. The overlying SS-2 is dominated by weakly reflective, laminated, high-frequency varved Af-4, suggesting a continuing seasonal control on postglacial sedimentation but with relative sediment starvation. A basin-wide erosional unconformity separating SS-1 and postglacial SS-2 records the abrupt drainage of glacial Lake Barlow-Ojibway around 8 000 years ago. Considering the history of lake floor disturbance in the region, mass flow facies Af-3 may be seismogenic, and thus, have regional tectonic significance. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of mass flows triggered by abrupt inflows of meltwater and sediment from a highly dynamic retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet prone to surging.