| Title | Permafrost in Canada, a challenge to northern development |
| Download | Download (whole publication) |
| Author | Smith, S L; Burgess, M M; Heginbottom, J A |
| Source | A synthesis of geological hazards in Canada; by Brooks, G R (ed.); Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 548, 2001 p. 241-264, 1 sheet, https://doi.org/10.4095/212229 |
| Year | 2001 |
| Publisher | Natural Resources Canada |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Maps | Publication contains 1 map |
| Map Info. | surficial geology, permafrost, 1:33,333,333 |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| Related | This publication is contained in Brooks, G R; (2001). A
synthesis of geological hazards in Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin no. 548 |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Canada |
| NTS | 1; 2; 3; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 62; 63; 64; 65;
66; 67; 68; 69; 72; 73; 74; 75; 76; 77; 78; 79; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97; 98; 99; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106; 107; 114O; 114P; 115; 116; 117; 120; 340; 560 |
| Lat/Long WENS | -141.0000 -50.0000 90.0000 41.7500 |
| Subjects | engineering geology; surficial geology/geomorphology; permafrost; freezing ground; ground ice; ground temperatures; dykes; pipelines; dams; thermal regimes; temperature; ice wedges; ice lenses; pingos;
massive ice; slope stability; freeze-thaw cycles; geological hazards; permafrost thickness; climate change; permafrost distribution; buildings; foundations |
| Illustrations | sketch maps; photographs; cross-sections; profiles |
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| Image |  |
| Released | 2001 04 01 |
| Abstract | The permafrost zone covers about half of the Canadian landmass and presents unique challenges to development in the north. Within this zone, permafrost continuously underlies the land in the far north
and may be several hundred metres thick. At the southern limit of the zone, however, permafrost distribution is discontinuous and thickness is generally less than 10 m. Ground stability problems associated with thawing of ice-rich permafrost can
occur in response to disturbance of the ground surface or climate change. Current knowledge about the distribution and characteristics of permafrost, including its thickness and temperature regime, and of ground ice in Canada is summarized. This
information is important for rational planning of development in the north. Numerous examples, including transportation systems, buildings and foundations, utilities, pipelines, dams, and dykes, illustrate the challenges to development encountered in
the permafrost region and the design and construction strategies used. The potential effects of climate change on permafrost are discussed briefly.
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| GEOSCAN ID | 212229 |
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