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Permafrost aggradation and peat accumulation since 1200 years B.P. in peat plateaus at Tuchitua, Yukon Territory (Canada)

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Abstract

Floating and grounded peat plateaus were studied in fens in the Yukon Territory (Canada). The peat deposit may be over 4 m thick and consists of a lower bed of aquatic peat overlain by humic fen peat, mesic fen peat and woody peat. Permafrost in the grounded peat plateaus is older than the 1200 year old White River Ash, whereas permafrost in the floating peat plateau is younger.

Peat accumulation rates since 1200 years B.P. were greater in the fens (85–100 cm) than on the surface of the peat plateaus (25–55 cm). Where the peat plateau is free-floating, it will persist until the climate changes, causing the icy core to thaw. Where the peat plateau is frozen to the mineral substrate, it slowly drowns since the fen peat accumulates faster than the woody peat. This drowning results in degradation of the landform independently of the climate. Only degradation of floating peat plateaus can be used to identify climatic changes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Calgary, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    S. A. Harris & I. H. Schmidt

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  1. S. A. Harris
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  2. I. H. Schmidt
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Additional information

This publication is the first paper in a series of papers presented at the session on ‘Past Climatic Change and the Development of Peatlands’ at the ASLO and SWS Meetings in Edmonton, Canada, May 30–June 3, 1993. Dr. P. Kuhry and Dr S. C. Zoltai are serving as Guest Editors.

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Harris, S.A., Schmidt, I.H. Permafrost aggradation and peat accumulation since 1200 years B.P. in peat plateaus at Tuchitua, Yukon Territory (Canada). J Paleolimnol 12, 3–17 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00677986

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00677986

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