ELECTRICAL GEOPHYSICAL METHODS TO CHARACTERIZE GLACIAL LANDFORMS OF THE LAKE MICHIGAN LOBE

Electrical geophysical methods have been implemented to characterize a wide spectrum of glacial geologic sediments. In particular, these methods can discretize lithologic facies relationships within geologic features and provide information associated with genesis and stratigraphic history. We’ve implemented 1-D and 2-D electrical methods to characterize glacial landforms associated with the Lake Michigan Lobe. These features include glacial lake basins, regional ridged drift, tunnel channels and outwash fans as well as subtle landscape features such as ice-walled lake plains and other deglacial ice-contact morphologies. We will address the utility of electrical methods for characterizing these glacial landforms and sediments, and we will suggest ways to couple these methods with seismic, radar or geotechnical methods to add additional information about genesis, lithology or hydrogeologic character.