NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, climate change, geochemistry, permafrost thaw, highway, hazards

Objective(s): To evaluate the geologic setting including geochemistry, and dating of sediments to establish a regional history of the area and to investigate the geologic setting of multiple buried, massive ice bodies and develop a geologic and hazards map along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, highlighting features at risk of future permafrost thaw.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5420. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate the geologic setting including geochemistry, and dating of sediments to establish a regional history of the area; 2) investigate the geologic setting of multiple buried, massive ice bodies; and 3) develop a geologic and hazards map along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH), highlighting features at risk of future permafrost thaw. These objectives will aid in a deeper understanding of permafrost and large bodies of ice stored within the permafrost. Ultimately, the goal is to derive a map that showcases which zones are at severe risk from climate change. The methods for this study include mapping, shallow coring, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), geochemical and geotechnical analysis. Additionally, the University of Alberta lab, has been fortunate to have received funding to acquire Airborne Electromagnetic Mapping (AEM) via an aircraft. This AEM will aid the development of the geohazards map by providing a large-scale distribution of permafrost. Additionally, the University of Alberta lab, has been fortunate to have received funding to acquire Airborne Electromagnetic Mapping (AEM) via an aircraft. This AEM will aid the development of the geohazards map by providing a large-scale distribution of permafrost. In 2022 the Principal Investigator (PI) was fortunate to have been in Fort. McPherson at the same time as Gwich'in Day – April 22. Participating in Gwich'in Day was a fantastic opportunity to interact with the local government and community members and tell them about my research. It was also an excellent opportunity to learn about the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. In 2023 PI plans to attend the Beluga Jamboree in Tuktoyaktuk (April 14-16, 2023), the Muskrat Jamboree in Inuvik (April 21-24), and Gwich'in Day in Fort McPherson (April 22, 2023). Additionally, the Inuvialuit Land Administration (ILA) was constantly updated during our fieldwork days. The PI has met and explained the research to local organizations, including Hunter and Trapper Committees, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Land Administration, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Working closely with established researchers from the NWT Geological Survey has helped facilitate these connections. The PI will also communicate with NWT stakeholders and community organizations throughout this project by providing data, maps and published papers, along with plain summaries, for every conference paper, academic paper, or poster presented. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023.