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Observation of rapid drainage system development by thermal erosion of ice wedges on Bylot Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago

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  • Daniel Fortier
  • Michel Allard
  • Yuri Shur

Abstract

Rapid development of a new drainage system was observed on Bylot Island. A 750‐m long gully system was eroded in four years. The process was initiated by the formation of sinkholes eroded in ice wedges by runoff flowing into open frost cracks. The sinkholes evolved into underground tunnels cut in the ice‐wedge network and the ice‐rich permafrost. Widening of tunnels was followed by subsidence and collapse of their roofs and the development of open gullies. The drainage generally developed as the shortest line along the regional slope with some deviations caused by collapse of blocks of soil which temporarily obstructed the water flow. Retrogressive scarps exposed to flowing water retreated at maximum rates of up to 5 m/day for a total of 15 to 50 m during the summer. Scarps exposed to atmospheric heat and solar radiation retreated between 2.5 and 40 m over four summers with a mean of 15.5 m. Such slopes had nearly stabilised after four years with a retreat rate of only a few centimetres per year in the last year of observation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Fortier & Michel Allard & Yuri Shur, 2007. "Observation of rapid drainage system development by thermal erosion of ice wedges on Bylot Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), pages 229-243, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:perpro:v:18:y:2007:i:3:p:229-243
    DOI: 10.1002/ppp.595
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    Cited by:

    1. Suzanne E. Tank & Jorien E. Vonk & Michelle A. Walvoord & James W. McClelland & Isabelle Laurion & Benjamin W. Abbott, 2020. "Landscape matters: Predicting the biogeochemical effects of permafrost thaw on aquatic networks with a state factor approach," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 358-370, July.
    2. Joel C. Rowland, 2023. "Drainage network response to Arctic warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-2, December.
    3. Nathan S. Debortoli & Tristan D. Pearce & James D. Ford, 2023. "Estimating Future Costs for Infrastructure in the Proposed Canadian Northern Corridor at Risk From Climate Change," SPP Research Papers, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 16(6), March.
    4. Anne Morgenstern & Pier Paul Overduin & Frank Günther & Samuel Stettner & Justine Ramage & Lutz Schirrmeister & Mikhail N. Grigoriev & Guido Grosse, 2021. "Thermo‐erosional valleys in Siberian ice‐rich permafrost," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 59-75, January.
    5. Shawn M. Chartrand & A. Mark Jellinek & Antero Kukko & Anna Grau Galofre & Gordon R. Osinski & Shannon Hibbard, 2023. "High Arctic channel incision modulated by climate change and the emergence of polygonal ground," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Julian B. Murton, 2021. "What and where are periglacial landscapes?," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 186-212, April.

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