The Occurrence of Grounded Ice Ridges and Shore Ice Piling along the Northern Coast of Somerset Island, N.W.T.

Abstract

Massive shore ice piles and grounded ice ridges up to 30 m high were examined along the northern coast of Somerset Island between 1973 and 1976. The ice ridges, composed of 1 to 2 m thick ice blocks and occasionally thicker multi-year ice blocks, occurred most frequently along the north and west shores of capes and headlands. 'Cape Fisher' was the site of shore ice piling during each of the four years and one set of ice piles, built 15-60 m inland existed three years. Effects of grounded ice ridges on nearshore morphology were minimal but ice-push features were observed as much as 185 m inland across the beach.