Produce a module summary on Arctic Norths region. This summary should highlight the major processes and landforms found in each region, and can be used as a review tool for the final exam. Summary sh

Page%|%1%%%MODULE'4:'ARCTIC'NORTH'UNIT'1:'GEOLOGY'AND'TOPOGRAPHY'Slide%1:%Welcome%to%the%fourth%module%for%GEOG%3760%Canada’s%Natural%Environments%and%Landforms.%%In%this%module%we%are%going%to%move%north%and%discuss%the%features%of%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region.%%As%with%all%modules%we%will%begin%this%unit%by%discussing%the%geology%and%topography%found%within%this%region.%%Slide%2:%The%Arctic%North%physiographic%region%encompasses%most%of%the%Nunavut%territory%and%large%section%of%Northwest%Territories%and%northern%coastal%area%of%the%Yukon%Territory.%%The%dark%green%and%purple%areas%on%the%map%of%the%physiographic%regions%shows%the%spatial%extent%of%the%Arctic%North%region.%%As%we%will%discuss%in%the%next%slides,%this%region%includes%a%number%of%subQregions:%the%Arctic%Coastal%Plains,%Arctic%Lowlands%and%Innuitian%region%of%the%High%Arctic.%%The%total%region%occupies%an%area%of%2.6%million%square%kilometers%or%26%%of%Canada’s%land%surface.%%As%you%will%learn%in%this%unit,%the%topography%of%this%region%varies%significantly%from%mountain%ranges%to%coastal%lowlands.%%Slide%3:%During%the%late%Cretaceous%and%Tertiary%periods%in%geological%history,%the%Arctic%North%region%underwent%significant%change.%%During%this%period,%folding%and%faulting%of%the%Earth’s%crust%resulted%from%tectonic%movement%and%interaction%of%the%crustal%plates%in%the%region.%%These%tectonic%processes%formed%three%unique%arches%in%the%Arctic%North%region:%the%Melville%Arch,%Wellington%Arch%and%BoothiaQSomerset%Arch.%%The%Melville%Arch%is%an%eastQwest%trending%fold%or%anticline%found%near%Melville%Island%in%the%western%Arctic.%%The%Wellington%Arch%is%an%elongate,%northwesterlyQtrending%topographic%high%found%on%Victoria%Island,%south%of%the%Melville%Arch.%%Finally,%the%BoothiaQSomerset%Arch%is%an%elongated%northerly%extension%of%the%rocks%of%the%Precambrian%shield%into%the%Canadian%Arctic%islands.%%This%arch%divides%the%Arctic%into%an%eastern%and%western%area.%%%% Page%|%2%%%Slide%4:%In%addition%to%the%arches%formed%by%the%folding%and%faulting,%horsts%and%grabens%features%formed%in%the%Arctic%North%during%this%period%in%the%Arctic%North.%%These%features%are%evident%on%Bathurst%Island,%as%well%as%off%Melville%Island%(known%as%the%Eglinton%Graben).%%The%location%of%the%Eglinton%Graben%is%circled%on%the%map%found%on%this%slide.%%Both%of%these%features%are%formed%from%normal%faults%resulting%from%the%extensional%forces%of%the%Earth’s%crust.%%%As%the%crust%is%being%pulled%in%opposite%directions,%the%crust%will%break%resulting%in%the%formation%of%a%normal%fault.%%When%a%series%of%normal%faults%are%found%in%an%area,%as%is%found%near%Bathurst%and%Melville%islands,%horsts%(or%uplifted%blocks)%and%grabens%(downed%blocks)%will%form.%%The%presence%of%these%features%in%the%area%suggests%significant%tectonic%activity%during%the%period%in%the%geological%history.%%Slide%5:%More%recently%in%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region,%unconsolidated%sediments%deposited%during%the%Tertiary%and%Quaternary%periods%(between%65%million%and%10,000%years%ago)%form%undulating,%poorlyQdrained%lowland%terrain,%with%characteristic%periglacial%and%permafrost%features%(which%will%be%discussed%later%in%this%unit).%%This%would%indicate%a%less%restless%crust%with%less%tectonic%activity%in%areas%dominated%by%these%features.%%%%Slide%6:%One%of%the%distinguishing%geological%features%of%Arctic%North%physiographic%region%is%the%presence%of%the%Canadian%Arctic%Archipelago.%%This%region%covers%an%area%of%approximately%1.4%million%square%kilometers%(almost%the%entire%Arctic%North%region)%and%consists%of%94%large%islands%(islands%more%than%130%square%kilometers)%and%more%than%36%000%islands%in%total.%%The%largest%islands%in%the%Archipelago%are%Baffin%Island%(more%than%500,000%square%kilometers%and%larger%than%the%United%Kingdom),%Victoria%Island%(more%than%210,000%square%kilometers)%and%Ellesmere%Island%(almost%200,000%square%kilometers).%%These%islands%are%separated%from%each%other%and%the%mainland%by%numerous%waterways%that%are%known%as%the%Northwest%Passages.%%These%waterways%are%covered%by%ice%for%most%or%all%the%year,%however%are%rich%in%mammals%and%birds%species,%particularly%in%areas%with%no%ice%(known%as%polynyas)%and%in%the%summer%period%when%sea%ice%extent%and%thickness%is%at%its%lowest.%%%In%the%eastern%archipelago,%the%islands%contain%Canadian%Shield%geology%that%is%covered%by%flatQlying%Palaeozoic%rocks.%%The%central%and%western%islands%consist%of%sedimentary%rocks%and%are%flat%with%low%relief%(less%than%200%meters).%%The%northern%islands%(including%the%Queen%Elizabeth%Islands)%are%younger%sedimentary%rocks%that%have%been%heavily%folded%during%the%Innuitian%orogeny.%%Due%to%these%geological%differences,%the%topography%of%the%islands%in%the%Archipelago%ranges%from%rugged%mountains%with%steepQsided%fjords%to%low,%flat%plains.%%As%we%will%discuss%in%unit%4,%southern%and%central%Archipelago%contains%minerals%and%petroleum%deposits.%%Archaeological%evidence%suggests%that%the%Inuit,%along%with%preceding%cultures,%have%occupied%the%Archipelago%for%more%than%4000%years.%%%%%% Page%|%3%%%Slide%7:%As%discussed%in%a%previous%slide,%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region%can%be%divided%into%three%main%areas,%each%with%distinctively%different%geological%and%topographic%features.%%The%first%one%we%will%discuss%is%the%Arctic%Lowlands.%%This%area%extends%from%Banks%Island,%east%through%the%Archipelago%and%most%of%the%western%part%of%Baffin%Island.%%It%occupies%the%southern%part%of%the%physiographic%region.%%As%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide,%the%Arctic%Lowlands%are%composed%of%lowQlying%barren%islands%that%are%mostly%covered%by%ice,%snow%and%rock.%%The%ground%remains%frozen%year%round%(consisting%of%permafrost)%limiting%the%vegetation%that%is%able%to%grow%on%the%surface.%%Geologically,%this%area%is%formed%from%sedimentary%rock%(created%at%least%250%million%years%ago)%that%contains%limestone,%as%well%as%coal%(creating%streams%that%will%be%discussed%in%future%unit%within%this%module),%oil%and%natural%gas%deposits.%%This%rock%overlays%Precambrian%bedrock%that%results%in%the%lowQlying%plains%and%smooth%regions.%%In%the%eastern%section%of%this%area,%tidal%flats%over%10%kilometers%wide%exist,%while%in%the%western%areas%extensive%lowlands%gradually%give%way%to%spectacular%cliffs.%%%%Slide%8:%To%the%north%of%the%Arctic%Lowlands%lies%the%Innuitian%area%in%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region.%%This%area%extends%southwestQnortheast%from%the%islands%in%the%central%archipelago%to%the%top%of%Ellesmere%island%for%a%distance%of%approximately%1300%kilometers.%%The%main%characteristic%feature%of%this%area%is%mountains%composed%primarily%of%sedimentary%rocks.%%Some%of%the%peaks%found%in%the%Innuitian%area%are%over%2500%meters%in%height,%and%may%be%geologically%younger%than%the%mountains%found%in%other%physiographic%regions%(such%as%the%Appalachians).%%The%highest%point%in%the%area%is%Mount%Barbeau%at%approximately%2610%meters.%%The%local%relief%is%typically%1200%meters.%%These%mountains%were%formed%during%the%Innuitain%orogeny%in%the%middle%of%the%Mesozoic%era%between%250%and%66%million%years%ago.%%During%this%period%the%North%American%plate%moved%northward,%resulting%in%the%folding%and%faulting,%which%ultimately%resulted%in%not%only%the%formation%of%the%mountains,%but%also%the%islands%that%make%up%this%area.%%Most%of%the%mountain%peaks%are%covered%by%ice%caps.%%This%mountainous%region%can%be%divided%into%three%zones:%the%Grantland%Mountains,%Princess%Margaret%Range%and%Victoria%and%Albert%Mountains.%%The%Grantland%Mountains%are%located%along%the%northern%part%of%Ellesmere%Island%in%the%northern%section%of%this%area%and%rise%straight%out%from%the%ocean.%%The%Princess%Margaret%Range%is%located%on%Axel%Heiberg%Island,%west%of%the%Grantland%Mountains.%%The%highest%peak%in%this%range%is%Outlook%Peak%at%over%2200%meters.%%The%Victoria%and%Albert%Mountains%lie%on%the%eastern%coast%of%Ellesmere%Island.%%The%Agassiz%Ice%Cap%Summit%is%the%highest%peak%in%this%range,%with%a%height%just%greater%than%2200%meters.%%Between%these%mountain%ranges%lies%the%Eureka%Upland,%while%the%Perry%Plateau%lies%to%the%south.%%%Another%geological%feature%in%this%area%is%the%Sverdrup%basin.%%%As%seen%in%the%diagram%on%this%slide,%this%basin%is%located%on%Axel%Heiberg%and%Ellesmere%Islands%and%is%composed%primarily%of%igneous%rocks.%%The%Sverdrup%Basin%developed%about%330%million%years%ago.%%Over%the%next%few%100%million%years,%the%depression%filled%in%and%now%consists%of%flood%basalts,%dikes%and%sills%that%resulted%in%the%formation%of%the%Ellesmere%Island%Volcanics%and%Strand%Fjord%Formation.%%As%we%will%examine%in%unit%4%of%this%module,%this%feature%has%significant%potential%for%oil%and%gas%reserves%in%the%region.%%%%% Page%|%4%%%Slide%9:%The%final%of%the%three%areas%that%make%up%the%Arctic%North%physiographic%region%is%the%Arctic%Coastal%Plains.%%As%can%be%seen%in%the%figure%on%this%slide,%the%Arctic%Coastal%Plains%are%located%along%the%western%edge%of%this%physiographic%region%and%extend%southward%to%the%Mackenzie%Delta%and%toward%the%YukonQAlaska%border.%%This%area%is%composed%primarily%of%wetlands,%or%lowQlying%plains%that%are%poorly%drained.%%It%is%one%of%the%largest%wetlands%in%North%America.%%The%terrain%is%primarily%treeless%and%dominated%by%moss%and%lichens%with%numerous%lakes.%%The%topography%and%vegetation%make%it%an%important%breeding%and%calving%ground%for%many%mammal%and%waterfowl%species.%%Underneath%the%surface%lies%permafrost,%controlled%by%the%low%sunQangle,%low%temperatures%and%higher%humidity.%%Permafrost%and%periglacial%features%(discussed%later%in%this%unit)%can%be%found%throughout%this%area.%%%Glacial%and%fluvial%processes%have%and%still%control%the%topography%and%geology%of%the%area.%%Glaciation%during%the%last%ice%age%has%resulted%in%level%to%rolling%glacial%and%moraine%deposits%(as%we%will%discuss%in%the%next%unit),%as%well%as%outwash%deposits%and%undulating%glacial%drift.%%The%Mackenzie%River%Delta%is%found%in%the%southern%part%of%the%Arctic%Coastal%Plains,%creating%alluvial%channels,%estuarine%deposits%and%innumerable%lakes.%%%%Slide%10:%The%Arctic%North%region%is%underlain%by%permafrost%or%permanently%frozen%soil.%%This%soil%will%undergo%some%thawing%during%the%spring%and%summer%seasons,%typically%thawing%a%few%centimeters%of%soil.%%This%melting%will%create%landform%features%that%are%can%be%found%throughout%the%Arctic%North%region.%%One%such%feature%is%known%as%a%blockfield.%%As%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide,%a%blockfield%is%a%broad,%flat%or%gently%sloping%area%that%is%covered%by%mediumQ%to%largeQsized%rocks.%%These%rocks%are%formed%in%situ%by%frost%wedging,%which%is%a%physical%weathering%processes%created%by%the%repeated%freezing%and%thawing%of%water%within%cracks%in%the%ground.%%With%each%successive%freeze/thaw%cycle,%the%cracks%become%wider%and%eventually%the%rocks%will%form.%%%%Slide%11:%An%additional%periglacial%feature%that%forms%in%the%Arctic%North%region%is%a%pingo.%%The%term%pingo%is%Inuktitut%for%hill.%A%pingo%is%a%large%domeQshaped%circular%hill%or%mound%consisting%of%a%layer%of%soil%that%encases%a%large%core%of%ice.%%These%features%can%be%tens%of%meters%in%height%and%hundreds%of%meters%in%diameter.%%The%figure%on%this%slide%shows%a%pingo%in%the%middle%of%the%photo.%%The%formation%of%these%features%is%related%to%frost%heaving.%%As%ice%begins%to%grow%in%the%soil%due%to%the%flow%of%groundwater%in%a%periglacial%environment%(due%to%capillary%action%or%hydrostatic%pressure)%it%causes%the%surface%to%begin%rising.%%Typically%pingos%form%first%horizontally,%creating%the%base%and%then%vertically%at%a%rate%of%a%few%centimeters%per%year.%%Pingos%in%this%physiographic%region%are%typically%a%few%decades%to%centuries%in%age.%%%% Page%|%5%%%Slide%12:%Ice%wedges%are%smallQscale%features%that%are%formed%in%the%permafrost%in%the%Arctic%North%region.%%As%the%name%suggests,%ice%wedges%are%downward%narrowing%pieces%of%ice%that%form%in%the%ground.%%These%features%are%typically%between%2%and%3%meters%and%can%extend%to%depths%of%up%to%10%meters.%%The%figure%on%this%slide%shows%the%development%of%ice%wedges.%%These%features%develop%with%a%crack%in%the%ground.%%This%crack,%which%is%several%millimeters%wide%initially,%is%a%result%of%soil%contraction%due%to%the%cold%temperatures.%%During%the%spring/summer%season,%liquid%water%that%is%released%from%the%soil%melting%in%the%active%layer%will%infiltrate%the%crack.%%As%it%freezes%the%following%year,%the%water%expands%by%approximately%10%,%enlarging%the%crack.%%The%cycle%is%repeated%over%many%years%forming%the%ice%wedge%under%the%surface.%%As%this%continues,%the%soil%around%the%wedge%is%pushed%upward,%creating%a%slight%hill%at%the%surface.%%Slide%13:%Patterned%ground%is%an%additional%feature%found%in%the%Arctic%North%region.%%In%patterned%ground,%the%material%at%the%surface%may%be%arranged%in%a%variety%of%symmetrical,%geometric%shapes,%including%circles,%polygons%(as%shown%on%the%photo%on%this%slide)%and%nets.%%These%landform%features%may%be%caused%by%freezeQthaw%action%that%moves%large%or%coarse%material%to%the%edge%of%the%shape.%%Another%possible%mechanism%for%the%formation%of%patterned%ground%is%the%creation%of%ice%wedges,%as%discussed%in%the%previous%slide.%%Ice%wedges%may%be%found%at%the%edges%of%each%of%the%shapes%that%make%up%the%patterned%ground%(as%seen%in%the%diagram%on%this%slide),%and%the%formation%of%these%features%may%result%in%the%movement%of%the%coarse%material.%%%%Slide%14:%The%final%periglacial%feature%we%will%discuss%is%a%palsa.%%Palsas%are%low%mounts%with%cores%of%layered%segregated%ice%and%peat.%%Typically%these%features%are%a%few%meters%in%height%and%tens%of%meters%wide.%%The%formation%of%these%features%may%be%related%to%the%snow%cover.%%During%periods%when%snow%cover%is%low,%the%lack%of%insulation%may%result%in%frost%penetrating%further%into%an%unfrozen%peat%bog.%%This%frost%will%cause%the%water%in%the%peat%to%freeze%forming%the%initial%ice%layer.%%Over%time%as%water%migrates%from%the%unfrozen%to%frozen%areas%of%the%peat,%ice%layers%will%form%leading%to%the%development%of%the%palsa.%%Similar%to%a%pingo,%frost%heaving%may%gradually%lift%the%palsa,%creating%the%mound%at%the%surface.%%%As%you%can%see%in%the%photo%on%this%slide,%palsas%typically%do%not%occur%as%isolated%features,%rather%form%in%groups.%%%%Slide%15:%This%concludes%the%unit%on%geology%and%topography%for%the%Arctic%North%region.%%You%should%review%the%supplementary%information%that%corresponds%to%this%unit%and%read%the%readings%listed.%%In%the%next%section%we%will%discuss%the%climate%and%glaciers%found%in%this%physiographic%region.%%