Geology, Especially Geomorphology, of Northern Alaska

Abstract

Summarizes briefly the geologic setting and geomorphic features of the Brooks Range, Arctic Foothills and coastal plain, and reviews the Naval Arctic Research Lab-sponsored research in fields of geomorphology, oriented lakes, patterned ground, glacial geology, palynology, C-14 dating and shoreline, near-shore and shallow-water studies. Discussion of the status of geologic research and future role of NARL notes the large sums of money presently being spent on subsurface and geophysical research by oil companies, and suggests that NARL concentrate, rather, on studies of processes, the Pleistocene and the Precambrian.