MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MENOMINEE DRUMLIN FIELD USING GIS

The Menominee Drumlin Field, located in the southern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is characterized by regions of varying drumlin shapes and orientations. Morphological characteristics for nearly 800 drumlins were analyzed using ArcEditor 9.0. Raw data for discrete drumlin forms, including: length, width, height, complexity, and orientation were amassed from Digital Raster Graphics of each county containing the drumlin field. Drumlin shape was then derived from the data by using a formula for compactness, and further evaluated by visual interpretation. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data was used to analyze shape characteristics, for perspective-view analysis, and as a backdrop to drape the derived morphological data.

The dataset consisting of spatial variations in drumlin shape and orientation were then combined with digital glacial overburden thickness and bedrock geology datasets for statistical analysis. It appears that less streamlined, more complex drumlin shape are correlated to greater overburden thickness and highly permeable bedrock. These drumlins are oriented westward, and tend to be found nearer to the ice margin. Conversely, more streamlined, elongated drumlins are found where overburden is thin, over impermeable bedrock lithologies, and are found nearer to the center of the ice lobe.