| Title | Coastal geoscience for sustainable development in Nunavut: 2013 activities |
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| Author | Couture, N J ;
Craymer, M R; Forbes, D L; Fraser, P R; Henton, J A; James, T S; Jenner, K A; Manson, G K; Simon, K M; Siliker, R J; Whalen, D J R |
| Source | Summary of Activities 2013, Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office; Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Summary of Activities 2013 p. 139-148  Open Access |
| Links | Online - En ligne[PDF,5.42MB]
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| Image |  |
| Year | 2013 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20130277 |
| Publisher | Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Nunavut |
| NTS | 86O/14; 76M/14; 76M/15; 76N/01; 77A/04; 77D/02; 66A/08 |
| Area | Coronation Gulf; Kugluktuk; Coppermine delta; Iqaluit; Baker Lake; Cambridge Bay; Bathurst Inlet; Hope Bay |
| Lat/Long WENS | -117.0000 -102.0000 69.5000 66.5000 |
| Lat/Long WENS | -96.5000 -96.0000 64.5000 64.2500 |
| Subjects | marine geology; Nature and Environment; coastal studies; coastal environment; coastal erosion; coastal management; sea level changes; sea level fluctuations |
| Illustrations | location maps; aerial photographs; plots |
| Program | Climate Change Geoscience |
| Released | 2013 01 01 |
| Abstract | Natural Resources Canada scientists and partners are assessing coastal conditions at various sites in Nunavut to help determine coastal stability and predict future changes. Mapping of coastal landforms
and material composition has been carried out for over 2500 km of coastline in southern Coronation Gulf. Coastal stability was assessed at an existing mining port facility (Roberts bay) and a planned one (Grays Bay).Results indicate that the
shoreline at Roberts bay is relatively stable, although there is some sedimentation at the mouth of one river, and some erosion of ice-rich backshore cliffs. The coast around Grays Bay also shows little overall change due to the predominance of
bedrock in the region. However, there are pockets where erosion is occurring and areas where progradation has occurred. A preliminary investigation shows that a method developed for the mapping of bottom-fast ice (BFI) in the Mackenzie Delta, using
synthetic aperture radar imagery,
an be successfully applied to identify BFI in the Coppermine River delta as well. Data indicative of past relative sea level
ere collected from 18 sites around the hamlet of Arviat and, together with
previously published observations,were used to determine a regional Holocene sea-level curve. This information, together with results from a Global Positioning System (GPS) site near the hamlet, shows present-day crustal uplift of just under 10
mm/yr. Two new continuous GPS sites were installed at Ennadai Lake and Repulse Bay to measure vertical crustal motion. An improved model of vertical crustal motion is being developed that will assist with making projections of relative sea-level
change in the territory. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
The coastline was examined at various locations around Nunavut to see whether it is eroding, and how it might be affected by climate change. Over 2500 km
were mapped along the Coronation Gulf coast to determine where it is rocky and the form it takes (i.e., beach, cliff, etc.). Air photos and satellite images were compared for two port sites (Roberts Bays and Grays Bay) to see how much erosion has
occurred over 60 years. Results show that the coast around Roberts Bay is mostly stable, although some ice-rich cliffs are eroding. There is little erosion around Grays Bay since much of the coast is bedrock, but there are still small pockets of
erosion. Satellite images were used near Kugluktuk to locate areas where bottom-fast ice (BFI) forms in winter. BFI only forms in shallow channels so knowing this helps in navigation. Long-term GPS measurements are used to determine how quickly
the Earth's crust is moving up or down and to help predict how sea level may change in the future. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 293143 |
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