Mass-Wasting at Sachs Harbour, Banks Island, N. W. T., Canada

Abstract

Rates of movement of nonsorted stripes on slopes of very low angle (2 to 4°) were measured over a 3-year period, 1969 to 1972, at Sachs Harbour in southern Banks Island. Average annual subsurface movements of rectangular tinfoil markers varied between 1.4 and 1.7 cm, while pebbles placed on the surface of the stripes moved an average of 2.5 cm year^-1. An average rate of 2.0 cm year^-1 is thought to be typical of much of the interior lowlands of Banks Island on slopes developed in unconsolidated sediments. These values are comparable in magnitude with mass movement rates observed in other similar cold environments.