CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results
Author : Fortier, D.; Allard, M.; Lemieux, C.; L’Hérault, E.; Grandmont, K.; Larrivée, K.; Cardille, J.; Paquette, M.; Sliger, M.; and Doyon, J.
Date : 2010.
Title : Geomorphological and geotechnical mapping of permafrost conditions for Nunavik communities; a pro-active initiative to support village expansion and adaptation to climate change.
Publication : 7th Annual ArcticNet Scientific Meeting. December 15-17, 2010. The Westin Ottawa, Ottawa,Ontario.
Issue : Programme.
Page(s) : 124.
Abstract
Permafrost warming and thawing is already a reality in Nunavik (Allard et al., 2006; 2007; 2009; Calmels et al., 2008; Smith et al., 2010) and elsewhere in the circumpolar north. Climate models suggest that this warming trend will prevail in the future and that the rate of change will be faster in the Arctic (Sushama et al., 2007; IPCC, 2007). Consequently, northern communities must adopt specific adaptation techniques and strategies to deal with a warming permafrost to expand their current residential, municipal, and transportation infrastructures. Due to the rapid demographic growth in Nunavik and because of the current housing crisis, needs for constructions are high and the governments will have to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects in the near future. This project will allow updating the existing permafrost/surficial geology maps of four Nunavik communities (Akulivik, Puvirnituq, Kangirsuk and Tasiujaq) built on thaw-susceptible permafrost. Natural hazards and potential permafrost degradation related to climate change will be evaluated for projected land-use (e.g. housing, sewage) and foundation types (e.g. concrete slabs, piles). This will be achieved using regional climate scenarios from the Ouranos Consortium together with a geodatabase of terrain conditions (surfi cial geology, permafrost landforms, geotechnical properties of permafrost, geomorphological processes). The suitability of the projected land-use will be evaluated in light of the potential response of the terrain to climate warming until 2050. The end-product of this research project will consist in risk-assessment maps that will serve as guidelines to village development. The methodology and results of this research project will find immediate applications for northern development planning, will contribute to capacity building of local communities and regional decision-makers, and will promote sound expansion of Nunavik villages with respect to the local specificities of the permafrost environment.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology