Variability of coastal change along the western Yukon coast

Konopczak, Anna M.; Manson, Gavin K.; Couture, N.

doi:10.4095/293788

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

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“…Ground ice volumes of up to 66% (Couture, ) between Komakuk Beach and the Canada‐U.S. American border result in thermo‐abrasion and thermo‐denudation processes that alter the landscape, for example, by active layer detachments, or block failures (Konopczak et al, ). The river deltas of the Malcom and Firth River are fronted by a 30.5‐km‐long system of barrier spits and barrier islands termed Nunaluk Spit, which protects the delta coast (Figure ).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The only study systematically investigating the whole Yukon coast by means of aerial imagery analyses from the 1950s and 1970s was published in 1985 and reported average retreat rates of −0.5 m/a with local rates up to −5.3 m/a (Harper et al, ). Further studies have concentrated on shorter parts of the Yukon coast (Forbes, ; Konopczak et al, ; Lantuit & Pollard, ; McDonald & Lewis, ; Radosavljevic et al, ) or on much shorter timescales (Obu et al, ). These studies reported mean shoreline change rates of −0.45 to −3.0 m/a, which corresponds well with shoreline change rates published by Harper et al ().…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variability in Rates of Coastal Change Along the Yukon Coast, 1951 to 2015

et al. 2018

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To better understand the reaction of Arctic coasts to increasing environmental pressure, coastal changes along a 210‐km length of the Yukon Territory coast in north‐west Canada were investigated. Shoreline positions were acquired from aerial and satellite images between 1951 and 2011. Shoreline change rates were calculated for multiple time periods along the entire coast and at six key sites. Additionally, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) measurements of shoreline positions from seven field sites were used to analyze coastal dynamics from 1991 to 2015 at higher spatial resolution. The whole coast has a consistent, spatially averaged mean rate of shoreline change of 0.7 ± 0.2 m/a with a general trend of decreasing erosion from west to east. Additional data from six key sites shows that the mean shoreline change rate decreased from −1.3 ± 0.8 (1950s–1970s) to −0.5 ± 0.6 m/a (1970s–1990s). This was followed by a significant increase in shoreline change to −1.3 ± 0.3 m/a in the 1990s to 2011. This increase is confirmed by DGPS measurements that indicate increased erosion rates at local rates up to −8.9 m/a since 2006. Ground surveys and observations with remote sensing data indicate that the current rate of shoreline retreat along some parts of the Yukon coast is higher than at any time before in the 64‐year‐long observation record. Enhanced availability of material in turn might favor the buildup of gravel features, which have been growing in extent throughout the last six decades.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability in Rates of Coastal Change Along the Yukon Coast, 1951 to 2015

et al. 2018

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“…Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 10.1002/2017JF004231 is a general spatial pattern of decreasing erosion rates from west to east along the Yukon Coast [Konopczak et al, 2014].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrain controls on the occurrence of coastal retrogressive thaw slumps along the Yukon Coast, Canada

et al. 2017

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Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) are among the most active landforms in the Arctic; their number has increased significantly over the past decades. While processes initiating discrete RTSs are well identified, the major terrain controls on the development of coastal RTSs at a regional scale are not yet defined. Our research reveals the main geomorphic factors that determine the development of RTSs along a 238 km segment of the Yukon Coast, Canada. We (1) show the current extent of RTSs, (2) ascertain the factors controlling their activity and initiation, and (3) explain the spatial differences in the density and areal coverage of RTSs. We mapped and classified 287 RTSs using high‐resolution satellite images acquired in 2011. We highlighted the main terrain controls over their development using univariate regression trees model. Coastal geomorphology influenced both the activity and initiation of RTSs: active RTSs and RTSs initiated after 1972 occurred primarily on terrains with slope angles greater than 3.9° and 5.9°, respectively. The density and areal coverage of RTSs were constrained by the volume and thickness of massive ice bodies. Differences in rates of coastal change along the coast did not affect the model. We infer that rates of coastal change averaged over a 39 year period are unable to reflect the complex relationship between RTSs and coastline dynamics. We emphasize the need for large‐scale studies of RTSs to evaluate their impact on the ecosystem and to measure their contribution to the global carbon budget.

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“…Many cultural sites along the mainland coast, as well as on Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island), have been or are about to be eroded (Jones et al 2008;Friesen 2015;Radosavljevic et al 2016;O'Rourke 2017). Investigations of the DEW line site at Qamaqaaq (Komakuk Beach) show that the landing strip has been eroding, on average, by approximately 1 m/a since the 1950s (Solomon 1998;Konopczak et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of past and future coastal changes on the Yukon coast — threats for cultural sites, infrastructure, and travel routes

Irrgang

Lantuit

Gordon³

et al. 2019

Arctic Science

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Yukon's Beaufort coast, Canada, is a highly dynamic landscape. Cultural sites, infrastructure, and travel routes used by the local population are particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. To assess threats to these phenomena, rates of shoreline change for a 210 km length of the coast were analyzed and combined with socioeconomic and cultural information. Rates of shoreline change were derived from aerial and satellite imagery from the 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2011. Using these data, conservative (S1) and dynamic (S2) shoreline projections were constructed to predict shoreline positions for the year 2100. The locations of cultural features in the archives of a Parks Canada database, the Yukon Archaeological Program, and as reported in other literature were combined with projected shoreline position changes. Between 2011 and 2100, approximately 850 ha (S1) and 2660 ha (S2) may erode, resulting in a loss of 45% (S1) to 61% (S2) of all cultural features by 2100. The last large, actively used camp area and two nearshore landing strips will likely be threatened by future coastal processes. Future coastal erosion and sedimentation processes are expected to increasingly threaten cultural sites and influence travelling and living along the Yukon coast.

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Variability of coastal change along the western Yukon coast

Cited by 9 publications

References 50 publications

Variability in Rates of Coastal Change Along the Yukon Coast, 1951 to 2015

Variability in Rates of Coastal Change Along the Yukon Coast, 1951 to 2015

Terrain controls on the occurrence of coastal retrogressive thaw slumps along the Yukon Coast, Canada

Impacts of past and future coastal changes on the Yukon coast — threats for cultural sites, infrastructure, and travel routes

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