| Title | Terrain geodatabase and landslide hazards: southern Mackenzie Valley region, Northwest Territories |
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| Author | Huntley, D H ;
Duk-Rodkin, A; Smith, I R; Macdonald, L; Koszarycz, L |
| Source | 35th Annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum, Abstracts of talks and posters; by Cairns, S; Falck, H; Northwest Territories Geoscience Office, Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Abstracts Volume vol. 2007, 2007
p. 26  Open Access |
| Links | Online - En ligne
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| Image |  |
| Year | 2007 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20070480 |
| Meeting | 2007 Yellowknife Geoscience Forum; Yellowknife; CA; November 20-22, 2007 |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper |
| Area | Mackenzie River |
| Subjects | surficial geology/geomorphology; landslides; glacial deposits; data collections; permafrost |
| Abstract | As part of the Northern Energy Development Mackenzie Valley Project and Secure Canada Energy Supply Program, Geological Survey of Canada (Calgary) is presently working to improve our understanding of
regional glacial geological processes in the Northwest Territories. Between 2005 and 2007, surficial deposits and landslides were described and mapped in three physiographic regions: 1) mountainous areas with exposed bedrock, high relief and steep
slopes; 2) drift covered lowlands with little relief; and 3) broad, deeply incised river valleys draining to the Mackenzie River. Geoscience data collected includes the spatial distribution of surficial deposits and landforms, classification,
dimensions, physiographic setting and age of landslide event(s). Digital terrain and landslide hazard maps and their accompanying geodatabases will provide essential information for land management decisions regarding construction of pipelines,
highways and settlements; evaluation of property rights decisions; extraction of fossil fuels, minerals, aggregates and groundwater; assessments of environmental risk and impact, ecological sensitivity and archaeological potential. GIS maps and
geodatabases also provide calibration for future predictive landslide mapping and hazard analyses. Important outcomes that can be achieved through the use of geoscience databases, landslide hazard maps and related products include the attraction of
new investment and reduction of risks for development. To reduce the possibility of landslides in the transportation corridor, construction should aim to minimally disturb steep slopes at stream and river crossings; and where gently sloping terrain
dominated by fine-grained glacial sediment with discontinuous permafrost is indicated in the geodatabase, and on surficial geology and applied terrain maps. Passive construction techniques that avoid potentially unstable terrain identified by terrain
mapping; installing piles into permafrost; construction of aggregate pads to insulate subjacent permafrost; and preserving the protective cover should be employed where possible. Non-passive construction involving the removal of surficial cover to
competent bedrock may be possible in areas where a drift cover of less than 5 m thick is recorded. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 224707 |
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