CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Harris, S.A.
Date : 1983.
Title : Comparison of the climatic and geomorphic methods of predicting permafrost distribution in western Yukon Territory
Publication : Permafrost : Fourth International Conference, proceedings, July 17-22, 1983. - Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press.
Issue :
Page(s) : 450-455
Abstract
Drilling and ground temperatures measurements along the Dempster Highway demonstrate that continuous permafrost is at least twice as extensive in Western Yukon Territory as previously shown on maps. An extensive belt occurs in the foothills below the St. Elias Range west of Destruction Bay, while continuous permafrost extends south to the North Fork Pass along the Dempster highway. Between the zones of continuous permafrost are areas of discontinuous permafrost in lowland areas, with 30-80% of the landscape underlain by permafrost. The climatic predictive method is reasonably successful at predicting the permafrost distribution on small scale maps but tends to slightly underpredict the distribution in montane valleys. Cold air drainage is widespread and very marked in these areas, and may cause the anomalies. Groundwater movement is undoubtedly also important locally. The geomorphic method based on the distribution of zonal permafrost landforms is of little use in mapping the permafrost boundaries. It was the evidence used to augment the sparse ground-temperature data available to previous workers.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology