CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Barsch, D.
Date : 1981
Title : Terrassen, FluBarbeit und das Modell der exzessiven Talbildungszone im Expeditionsgebiet Oobloyah Bay, N-Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Kanada [Terraces and fluvial activity in relation to the model of excessive valley formation in the Oobloyah Bay region, northern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada]
Publication : Ergebnisse der Heidelberg-Ellesmere Island-Expedition [Results of the Heidelberg Ellesmere Island Expedition]. Edited by Dietrich Barsen and Lorenz King. Heidelberger Geographische Arbeiten
Issue : 69:
Page(s) : 163-201
Abstract
Two major rivers of the Oobloyah Valley have been studied: the Heidelberg and the Nukapingwa River. Both developed major terrace-complexes with 8 (Heidelberg River) and 7 (Nukapingwa River) steps; both are influenced by the Holocene sea level changes, and both are meltwater streams with a glacial regime. The Heidelberg River basin is about 180 sq km, that of the Nukapingwa 9.7 sq km. The mean transport of the Heidelberg River is (1978) about 80,000 t/a, the erosion rate 0.17 mm/a (related to solid bedrock with 2.65 t/cu m). The Nukapingwa transports (1978) around 8,000 t/a, its erosion rate has been calculated to 0.3 mm/a (related to solid bedrock with 2.65 t/cu m). If the valleys of the two rivers have been formed during the last 7,000 years, only 5-10% of their annual transport has been derived by fluvial erosion in their own valleys. Therefore, in their lower parts, both valleys are steep and irregular. Thus, both valleys are not in accordancewith the theory of BUDEL, that in Polar regions under a periglacial climate by excessive valley formation all valleys are grading smoothly to the sea. That shall be true despite all disturbances by sea level fluctuations. In the Oobloyah Valley this hypothesis of valley formation cannot be confirmed. Even rivers with a high capacity (and a high transport) show no sign of an excessive erosion into depth, but only into width. It is therefore proposed that the local dynamic and geomorphological situation should be studied along Arctic rivers of different regions in order to be able to decide, if the model proposed by BUDEL is true generally or only under special conditions.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology