Sedimentary processes and surficial geology of the Pacific margin of the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia

The active Pacific margin of the Queen Charlotte Islands has been subject to vigourous wave and tidal energy since glacial times resulting in a continental shelf and coastal zone that are almost devoid of sediment. After minimal glaciation of the narrow shelf, the region became emergent with sea level lowering of up to, and possibly greater, than 200 m due to a glacio-isostatic forebulge ending near 10 400BP (14C date) followed by a rapid transgression that reached approximately 15 m above present sea level. This transgression effectively removed all unconsolidated sediment along the coast except in a few protected basins, such as Rennell Sound.