CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Carbonneau, A-S.; Gosselin, P.; L’Hérault, E.; Allard, M.; Leblanc, A-M.; Oldenborger, G.; Sladen, W.; and Mate, D.
Date : 2009.
Title : Assessing permafrost conditions and landscape hazards in support of climate change adaptation in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, Nunavut.
Publication : ArcticNet. 6th Annual Scientific Meeting. December 8-11, 2009. Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, British Columbia
Issue : Conference Programme.
Page(s) :
Abstract
Climate change has an impact on urban development and infrastructures in the Arctic as permafrost temperature and active layer depth increase and, also, as more frequent extreme climatic events trigger landscapes hazards. The Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Of?ce (CNGO) launched the “Nunavut Landscape Hazard Mapping Initiative” to provide geoscience information and expertise to Nunavut communities in order to support them in developing adaptation and management strategies. We present a compilation of results obtained during the summer 2009 in Pangnirtung (66.08.42?N, 65.42.49?W) by a multidisciplinary scienti? c team. The aim is to produce a permafrost and landscape hazard map addressing the infrastructures and resource development issues. Some urgency justi?ed the start of the program in Pangnirtung as the community was seriously impacted in June 2008 by an extreme peak discharge of the Duval river, which ?ows across the center of town, leading to important channel over deepening and thermo-erosion of banks. Geophysical and geomorphological methods were used. Electrical resistivity surveys were done using an Ohm mapper and an IRIS Syscal R1+ Switch 48. Ground Penetrating Radar surveys were also done. The coverage by both methods extends to the complete community area and to its projected expansion sector. Permafrost cores were also drilled in super?cial deposits to characterize permafrost in terms of cryostructure, ice and water contents, salinity, and grain size. Furthermore, four thermistor cables were installed in drill holes and linked to dataloggers to monitor the permafrost thermal regime. Mini-dataloggers (hobos) were also installed at various sites across the village to assess the variability of soil surface temperatures as they are affected by topography, snow depth and man-made infrastructures. The results are compiled over a DEM to facilitate the analysis of dynamic processes in their context and as a support tool for land management and decision making.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology