Thin-section production of diamicts: Problems and solutions

Thin-section production of diamict samples presents many problems, primarily as a result of incomplete impregnation. This problem is investigated in diamicts of known glacial, glaciomarine, and subaerial origin. The inherent sedimentological characteristics, rather than particular mode of deposition, appears to influence resin impregnation of diamicts. A technique of surface impregnation is presented to overcome this problem, when samples fail to impregnate fully during initial preparation, and is incorporated into current techniques within a flowchart. In the majority of cases, this technique results in successful production of a useful thin-section.