Mackenzie Valley Landslide Geotechnical Investigations

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

étiquettes: physical sciences, environmental impact, geology, landslides, slope failure

chercheur principal: Wang, Baolin (7)
Nᵒ de permis: 14292
Organisation: Geological Survey of Canada
Année(s) de permis: 2008 2007 2006
Délivré: févr. 29, 2008
Équipe de projet: Baolin Wang (Principal Investigator, Geological Survey of Canada), Bhuwani Paudel (Project Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada), Robert Li (Project Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada), Jacqueline Cormier (Graduate Student, University of Ottawa)

Objectif(s): The objective of this research is to understand triggering of landslides and slope failure mechanisms in the Mackenzie Valley.

Description du projet: The objective of this research is to understand triggering of landslides and slope failure mechanisms in the Mackenzie Valley. This will enable better environmental impact assessments of infrastructure projects in the region. This research involves detailed investigation of landslides. Soil samples will be taken by digging test pits in the active layer with hand tools. Most test pits will be located at or near landslides, and will eventually be destroyed by the landslides. Data will be collected from instruments installed at a landslide site (68 41.305N, 133 54.146W) and field measurements taken. Several other sites will be visited to collect soil samples and measure the landslide expansion rates. It is estimated that several one to two weeks visits of up to 6 people will be involved per year, traveling to sites by helicopter from Inuvik. Overnight camping might be required. Instrument monitoring will require several short site visits. Results will be published in publicly available scientific papers. Copies of papers will be sent to communities, local/regional regulatory organizations, and Aurora Research Institute. Local residents will be hired as wildlife monitors and assistants. Local helicopter companies, truck rentals, and hotels will be used, and local businesses will be used for supplies. Facilities and logistical/technical help from Aurora Research Institute (ARI) will be used. Fieldwork will be conducted from March 01 to December 31, 2008 in the area from about 15 km north of Inuvik to the Beaufort Sea (approximately 68 29.697N, 133 11.606W to 69 21.767N, 134 51.271W), with exact locations depending on where landslides are found.