| Title | Geophysical imaging of permafrost conditions along the northern Yukon Alaska Highway |
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| Author | Oldenborger, G A ;
LeBlanc, A -M; Stevens, C W; Chartrand, J; Loranger, B |
| Source | Proceedings of GeoQuebec 2015, 68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and 7th Canadian Permafrost Conference; 2015 p. 1-8 |
| Links | Online - En ligne
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| Image |  |
| Year | 2015 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20150060 |
| Meeting | GeoQuebec 2015, 68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and 7th Canadian Permafrost Conference; Quebec; CA; September 20-23, 2015 |
| Document | book |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Yukon |
| NTS | 115F; 115G; 115J; 115K |
| Area | Burwash Landing; Yukon Alaska Highway |
| Lat/Long WENS | -141.0000 -138.2344 62.6356 60.9017 |
| Subjects | geophysics; surficial geology/geomorphology; Nature and Environment; permafrost; ground ice; geophysical interpretations; geophysical surveys; resistivity surveys; ground probing radar; frost heaving;
groundwater; analytical methods; Cenozoic; Quaternary |
| Illustrations | location maps; photographs; histograms |
| Program | Climate Change Geoscience Land-based Infrastructure |
| Released | 2015 01 01 |
| Abstract | Three sections of the northern Yukon Alaska Highway (23 km) have been identified for testing the usefulness of geophysical surveys for understanding permafrost degradation and assisting with highway
management. Results from capacitive resistivity and ground-penetrating radar surveys are analysed and interpreted along with surficial maps, geotechnical borehole records, and surface observations of highway roughness and distress. Observed damage
appears to be associated with a variety of ground ice conditions. The geophysical results help elucidate the terrain conditions and support the conclusion that multiple subsurface processes contribute to highway degradation. Several geophysical
signatures are interpreted as indicative of terrain conditions involving ice-rich ground, frozen ground, thaw-susceptible sediments and shallow groundwater. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
The Yukon Alaska Highway is a vital transportation route connecting the Yukon to southern Canada and Alaska. The construction and maintenance of
transportation infrastructure in permafrost regions presents challenges and costs that do not exist in other areas. Three sections of the northern Yukon Alaska Highway have been identified for testing the usefulness of geophysical surveys for
understanding permafrost degradation and assisting with highway management. Geophysical survey results are analysed in conjunction with surficial maps, records from geotechnical borehole investigations, and surface observations of highway distress
such as roughness, longitudinal cracking, embankment failures and differential settlements. Observed damage appears to be associated with a variety of ground ice conditions. The geophysical results help elucidate the terrain conditions and support
the conclusion that multiple subsurface processes contribute to highway degradation involving ice-rich ground, frozen ground, groundwater and lithology. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 296497 |
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