Minimum age of deglaciation of upper Elk Valley, British Columbia

Abstract

Bog sediments at an elevation of 1582 m in the upper Elk Valley of British Columbia were dated at three horizons. The lowermost of these, radiocarbon dated at 13 430 ± 450 years BP, provides a minimum age for deglaciation of Elk Valley. This date is probably also a minimum for the Canmore advance in the Bow Valley, Alberta, and suggests that the Canmore was not related to deposition of the Bighill Creek Formation at Cochrane. Pollen samples from the bog indicate a shrub–herb pioneer assemblage following deglaciation of that portion of the valley.