Mechanisms, volumetric assessment, and prognosis for rapid coastal erosion of Tuktoyaktuk Island, an important natural barrier for the harbour and community
Data and Resources
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator | D. Whalen, D.L. Forbes, V. Kostylev, M. Lim, P. Fraser, M.R. Nedimović, and S. Stuckey |
| Summary | Using historical and recent aerial imagery, high-resolution digital elevation models, cliff geomorphology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology, including ground-ice content, this study documents erosional processes, recession rates, volume losses, and sediment delivery of Tuktoyaktuk Island since 1947 and projected into the future. Erosion along the northwest-facing (exposed) cliff, primarily by thermo-abrasional undercutting and block failure, has accelerated since 2000 to a mean of 1.80 ± 0.02 m/year, a 22% increase over the previous 15 years and 14% faster than 1947–2000. Lower recession rates on the harbour side of the island increased more than two-fold. Projection of future shoreline vectors by extrapolation, using the post-2000 accelerated coastal recession rates at 284 transects, points to breaching of this vital natural harbour barrier by 2044, after which rapid realignment is expected to occur as the new inlet evolves. Further acceleration of rates, as seems highly likely, brings the breaching date closer. |
| Local Relevance | This study documents erosion rates of sediments at Tuktoyaktuk Island near Tuktoyaktuk in the NWT, and projects a breaching date. Once the island has been breached, Tuktoyaktuk itself will face more severe coastal erosion. |
| Notes | |
| Tags | Coast,Erosion,Tuktoyaktuk,Remote Sensing,Tuktoyaktuk Island |
| Geographic Region | Beaufort Delta |
| Release Date | 2022-08-04 |
| Last Modified Date | 2022-04-08 |
| Funding Program |