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Spatial and temporal variability of shoreline change in the Beaufort-Mackenzie region, northwest territories, Canada

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Abstract

Aerial photographs from 1972, 1985 and 2000 were analyzed to obtain measurements of coastal change in the Mackenzie Delta region of the Beaufort Sea. Changes from 1972 to 2000 are dominated by retreat of the shoreline with average annual retreat rates of −0.6 m a−1, but ranging as high as −22.5 m a−1. Rates vary significantly both between and within zones of similar exposure, morphology and coastal geology with the highest average rates located in areas that are most exposed to northwest winds. In general, decadal-scale rates of change have remained constant during the 28 years encompassed by this study.

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Acknowledgements

Adrienne Jones and Doug Matthews of the Government of the Northwest Territories provided funding and encouragement for the project. Scanning, registration, digitization and measurement of the coastal change were performed by Tekmap Consulting. Hans Arends and the Inuvialuit Land Administration managed the government purchase of the Tarin orthoimagery, which was facilitated by R. Pinel of Tarin Resources. Comments by Dr. W. Pollard and an anonymous reviewer improved the quality of the final paper. Geological Survey of Canada Contribution No. 2004013.

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  1. Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS, Canada

    Steven M. Solomon

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  1. Steven M. Solomon
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Correspondence to Steven M. Solomon.

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Solomon, S.M. Spatial and temporal variability of shoreline change in the Beaufort-Mackenzie region, northwest territories, Canada. Geo-Mar Lett 25, 127–137 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-004-0194-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-004-0194-x

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