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The Holocene
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The Holocene development of a debris slope in subarctic Québec, Canada

Joëlle Marion

Centre d'études nordiques and Département de géographie, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada G1K 7P4

Louise Filion

Centre d'études nordiques and Département de géographie, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada G1K 7P4

Bernard Hétu

Département de géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300, Allée des Ursulines, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1

The development of a debris-covered slope in subarctic Québec was reconstructed in relation to vegetation dynamics, fire history and local permafrost evolution. The slope consisted of a low- elevation rockwall and a rockwall-derived debris veneer overlying a sandy till deposit reworked by gelifluction. The sedimentological and stratigraphical data along with radiocarbon dating and den droecological data indicated that: (1) the period around 5050 BP corresponded to the initial establishment of the forest cover probably after paraglacial rockfall activity following deglaciation; (2) it was followed by a period of stability until c. 3200-3000 BP when gelifluction occurred; (3) the period between c. 3000 BP and 900 BP was one of relative stability; until (4) a series of fires after 900 BP initiated a period of destabilization by mass movements and surficial weathering processes; (5) local permafrost formed during the last few centuries, especially under the forest fringe where Sphagnum peat developed. Results from this study indicate a strong connection between fire, slope destabilization and the intensification of geomorphological slope processes during the last millennium at the study site.

Key Words: Debris-covered slope • colluvial history • gelifluction • permafrost • subarctic • forest fire • Holocene • Québec • Canada.

The Holocene, Vol. 5, No. 4, 409-419 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/095968369500500403
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