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Contribution to Book
Holocene Landscape Evolution and Erosional Processes in the Le Sueur River, Central Minnesota
Archean to Anthropocene : Field Guides to the Geology of the Mid-Continent of North America (2011)
  • Patrick Belmont, Utah State University
Abstract
The Minnesota River Valley was carved by the draining of glacial Lake Agassiz ~13,400 years ago. Up to 85 m of incision along the proto–Minnesota River during this event spawned knickpoints that have been migrating upstream on tributaries, including the Le Sueur River in south-central Minnesota. This trip will explore the evolution of the Minnesota River Valley and Le Sueur River over the Holocene and discuss implications of landscape history for modern geomorphic processes. We begin with a brief tour of glacial stratigraphy and overview of the incised Minnesota River Valley. We then travel to the Le Sueur River to see bluffs, ravines, well-preserved strath terraces, and a paleo-channel that recorded incision and knickpoint migration of the Le Sueur River. We will discuss the process of landscape evolution in this otherwise low-gradient landscape and how the geologic history affects modern erosion and sediment loading to the Le Sueur, Minnesota, and upper Mississippi Rivers.
Keywords
  • Kirk Bryan,
  • Holocene Landscape,
  • Evolution,
  • Erosion,
  • Le Sueur River,
  • Minnesota
Publication Date
January 1, 2011
Editor
James D. Miller, George J. Hudak, Chad Wittkop, and Patrick I. McLaughlin
Publisher
The Geological Society of America
Series
Field Guide 24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1130/2011.0024(21)
Publisher Statement
doi: 10.1130/2011.0024(21)​
Citation Information
Belmont, P., Gran, K., Jennings, C.E., Wittkop, C., Day, S.S. (2011) Kirk Bryan Field Trip: Holocene landscape evolution and erosional processes in the Le Sueur River, central Minnesota. Guide book for 2011 GSA National Meeting Kirk Bryan Field Trip, Minneapolis, MN.