Part 1: Paper Prospectus Compose a brief, structured, first draft plan of your paper. It should have the various sections of the paper highlighted (i.e. introduction, conclusion, body, etc.), as well
MODULE 7: APPALACHIANS
Geology and Topography
The Appalachians physiographic area is situated on Canada's east coast and includes the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. It is one of Canada's earliest physiographic zones, developed between 480 and 280 million years ago during the Taconic and Acadian orogeny. The Taconic orogeny created the Appalachian Mountains, while the Acadian orogeny started at 375 million years ago and will endure 50 million years.
The Avalonian continent, a volcanic island arc that originated 541 million years ago between the Rheic and Iapetus Oceans, clashed with the Laurasian continent, forming a high mountain belt. This resulted in the formation of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Canada and the United States. The mountain range spans over 2,400 kilometers and is separated into three sections: southern, central, and northern.
The Appalachian region is divided into topographic regions based on provinces. New Brunswick is split into six topographic regions: New Brunswick Lowlands, Caledonian Highlands, Miramichi Highlands, Chaleur Uplands, and Edmundston Highlands. The New Brunswick lowlands are made up of low-lying, gently undulating plains underlain by Carboniferous age sedimentary rocks. The Caledonian Highlands are remains of an earlier mountain-building activity, while the Miramichi Highlands have more local relief and higher peaks. The Chaleur Uplands consist of gently undulating plateaus and somewhat steep terrain, whereas the Edmundston Highlands are in the province's northern region. Glacial processes have had a less significant impact on topography than in other locations.
Nova Scotia is separated into four topographic regions: Atlantic Upland, Nova Scotia Highlands, Annapolis Lowland, and Maritime Plains. The Atlantic Upland is made up of old erosion-resistant rocks including granite, quartzite, and slate, and it has an elevation of around 200 meters. The Nova Scotia Highlands have an average height of less than 300 metres and are split into five major areas separated by lowlands.
The Annapolis Lowland was developed during the Triassic era and is made up of weak, mostly red sedimentary rocks. It has rich soil from floods caused by glacial ice retreat and the subsequent deposition of lacustrine deposits. The Maritime Plain, found along the coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is made up of sedimentary rocks produced between 320 and 300 million years ago.
Prince Edward Island is a lowland province with most of its terrain below 50 meters above sea level and few hills. The island is part of the Maritime Carboniferous Basin, which developed 300–75 million years ago. Over time, debris from the surrounding hills was transported and deposited in the region, forming the island.
Newfoundland is divided into four major topographic regions: the Humber Zone, the Dunnage Zone, the Gander Zone, and the Avalon Zone. The Humber Zone is an old continental passive margin developed between 550 and 440 million years ago, while the Dunnage Zone is made up of volcanic rocks, oceanic crust, and mantle materials. The Gander Zone is situated south of the Dunnage Zone, whereas the Avalon Zone spans 600 kilometers offshore.
This lesson focuses on coastal characteristics in the Appalachian physiographic area that stand out because to their closeness to water and ocean processes. The first feature is a sea stack, which are enormous pillars of black sedimentary conglomerate and sandstone formed by glacial activity and tidal variations. These formations are generated via constant erosion caused by wave and tidal currents.
A tombolo is another coastal feature, which is a depositional landform formed when a spit or sandbar joins offshore islands to the mainland. This connection may occur again, connecting many islands in a chain known as a tombolo cluster. The construction of the spit or sandbar is induced by the deposition of sand and other particles transported by the water, as well as the decrease in wave and current velocity.
A barrier island is produced offshore and consists of flat regions of sand accumulation. These islands are often parallel to the mainland coast and form chains of islands separated by tidal inlets. The length and breadth of barrier islands are proportional to coastal process characteristics such as tidal range, wave energy, sediment supply, and sea-level changes.
The last coastal feature is a sand dune, which is generated by sand buildup from weathering of local sandstone rocks. Sand dunes may reach heights of more than ten meters and lengths of several kilometers. Grasses such as marram grass support the dune, lowering the quantity of sand moved away by wind.
Climate and Glaciers
This part investigates the many climatic types found in the Appalachian physiographic area, which is comparable to the Great Lakes-St Lawrence region. The area is impacted by glacial and geological processes, resulting in a heavily degraded landscape. The region is dominated by a single climatic type, Dfb, with Dfc influencing minor sections along Newfoundland's coast and the mainland in the Gaspe Peninsula. Ocean currents, particularly the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream, dominate the climate, resulting in cooler winters and milder summers. Precipitation patterns differ, with interior places getting 1,000 millimeters and coastal areas receiving more than 1,400 millimeters. The predominant climate is a Dfb, or wet continental climate, with a yearly cycle of warmer summers and colder winters.
Glaciers affected the Appalachian area, but not a one massive ice sheet. Several pre-Wisconsinan glaciations, notably the Northumberland and Sangamonian Interglacial periods, have had an impact on the area. During the Wisconsin glacial period, the area was divided into three enormous lobes known as the Appalachian Glacial Complex, which prevented the Laurentide ice sheet from spreading into the Maritime provinces. The Appalachian Glacial Complex contains six key stages of glacial advance and retreat. The Caledonia Phase began about 75 and 80 thousand years ago, with striations on the bedrock and erratics. The second phase, the Escuminac Phase, lasted between 21 and 24 thousand years and included striations on the bedrock as well as erratic.
The ice ages in Nova Scotia took place in three stages: the Scotian Phase (18-15 thousand years ago), the Chignecto Phase (12.5-12.5 thousand years ago), the Shulie Lake Phase (12.5 thousand years ago), and the Collins Pond Phase (10.8 thousand years ago). The Scotian Phase had an ice divide over Nova Scotia that was blocked off by ice streams in the Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton channels. The Chignecto Phase resulted in the formation of discrete terrestrial ice centers, while the Shulie Lake Phase saw glaciers advance and recede. The Collins Pond Phase witnessed the reactivation of old glaciers.
The Appalachians Region in Canada has distinct geographical characteristics as a result of several glacial eras. Each phase of the Appalachians Glacier Complex left a till or layer of unconsolidated glacier debris, resulting in distinct characteristics. These characteristics include drumlins, glacial scouring, striations, and erratics. The region's complicated glacial history has resulted in sea level rise, with higher beaches and sea stacks forming along the coast of the Maritime provinces. The oceans control the weather in the area and that the Appalachians have a complicated glacier history.
Soils Flora and Fauna
The region is home to two ecozones: the Boreal Shield and the Atlantic Maritime ecozone. The Atlantic Maritime ecozone, covering 2% of Canada, is unique to the region and largely unaltered. Its topography is rough upland terrain, with Mount Carleton as the highest point. Lowlands and offshore islands also exist.
The Atlantic Maritime ecozone is characterized by forest soils, primarily podzolic and luvisolic, which are acidic and support the forest characteristic. Other soil types include gleysolic and organic soils, found in the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland. Over 70% of the ecozone is forested, with secondary and tertiary growth. The area is home to a mix of coniferous and deciduous tree species, wildflowers, and various species of mosses, lichens, and ferns. Ten species of plants are endangered or threatened, with threats from human activities. The ecozone also supports a significant proportion of fauna, including fishes, birds, and mammals.
Human Aspects
The Appalachians area, dominated by the Maritime Provinces, has a diverse range of natural resources, including minerals, forestry, agriculture, fishing, and water. Minerals such as lead, zinc, gold, potash, and gold. Hydrocarbons are plentiful in the area, with Alberta producing the most crude oil in Canada. The Atlantic Maritime ecozone encompasses more than 70% of the region, making it a popular tourism and pleasure destination. Forests occupy around 9% of the area, with more than half devoted for agriculture. Most provinces have less cattle than the national average, indicating that livestock is not a key component of agriculture. The region's agricultural operations are impacted by both its rough topography and rich land.
Fish have historically been a key natural resource in the Appalachian physiographic area, with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland accounting for more than half of the national value. In 2012, the top five highest-earning wild fisheries exports were lobster, snow crab, shrimp, herring, and scallops. A cod fishing restriction in Newfoundland was imposed in 1992, resulting in the loss of nearly 30,000 employments. Freshwater accounts for 4.1% of Canada's total land, including 6674 glacial lakes in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. National parks in the Canadian Shield area, such as Fundy National Park in New Brunswick and Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland, demonstrate the interaction of natural and human settings. Fundy National Park in New Brunswick has nearly 120 kilometers of hiking trails, various wilderness campsites, hotels, chalets, tennis facilities, and a golf course.
Fundy National Park, situated along the Atlantic migration route, is home to approximately 260 bird species, 65 amphibians, and 38 mammals. The park is a dark sky area because of its rough terrain and wet lakes. Terra Nova National Park, situated on Newfoundland's eastern coast, is Canada's most easterly national park and is named after the island. The park preserves the remnant eastern island boreal forest, which has evolved to thrive on thin soils and cold temperatures. The park protects breeding and migrating bird colonies such as kittiwakes, puffins, gulls, common murres, and a variety of songbird, seabird, owl, and ptarmigan species. The Straits of Belle Isle, which divide Newfoundland from the mainland, act as an effective barrier for most species. The park is also one of the few remaining habitats for the pine marten.
References
lacozza, J. (2024, February 26), Module 7:The Appalachians. Retrieved from UM Learn: https://universityofmanitoba.desire2learn.com/d21/le/content/567043/Home
