Penny Ice Cap Research Articles

Broughton Island–a reference area for Wisconsin and Holocene chronology and sea level changes on eastern Baffin Island

Broughton Island is 50 km from the eastern margin of the 6,000 km2 Penny Ice Cap. During the early Wisconsin (> 54,000 BP) A younger glacial readvance is delimited by lateral moraines and glacio‐marine deposits 14C dated at 24,100±850 BP; sea level was±18 m. During th last Wisconsin the glaciers terminated some distance inland from Broughton Island and sea alevel at 9,850±250BP was +5 m on Broughton Island. The head of Maktak Fiord, which presently contains a majour outlet glacier from the Penny Ice Cap, was deglaciated about 6,000 BP.

University of Colorado: 1971 Summer Field Season in East Baffin Island

Research was continued by University of Colorado faculty and graduate students in the area of Cumberland Peninsula. Baffin Island, Northwest Territories. The work was divided into four main phases: 1) studies on the glacial chronology of the Penny Ice Cap and local mountain ice caps; 2) the mass balance of the Boas Glacier; 3) air-sea interactions using ground stations, instrumented aircraft and satellite data; and 4) evaluation of climatic trends. ...

Radar Soundings on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island

AbstractThe first successful radar echo soundings through glacier ice in Canada were carried out by the Dominion Observatory in 1965 on an outlet glacier of the Penny Ice Cap in Baffin Island. An unmodified 440 MHz SCR-718 radar altimeter was used, of the type that is readily and inexpensively available on the surplus market. The radar soundings were generally in agreement, within the range of the reading accuracy of the oscilloscope (± 15 m), with depths obtained seismically, gravimetrically, and by the electrical resistivity method. The minimum and maximum recorded depths were 45 m and 550 m, respectively. The pip positions on the standard oscilloscope were recorded visually. This recording method was not satisfactory, but for future use the instrument could easily be modified to incorporate a larger oscilloscope with continuous photographic recording. Use of the relatively high carrier frequency of 440 MHz (compared with the more customary frequency of about 35 MHz) allows the use of smaller antennas and results in better resolution of the bedrock surface.

Radar Soundings on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island

AbstractThe first successful radar echo soundings through glacier ice in Canada were carried out by the Dominion Observatory in 1965 on an outlet glacier of the Penny Ice Cap in Baffin Island. An unmodified 440 MHz SCR-718 radar altimeter was used, of the type that is readily and inexpensively available on the surplus market. The radar soundings were generally in agreement, within the range of the reading accuracy of the oscilloscope (± 15 m), with depths obtained seismically, gravimetrically, and by the electrical resistivity method. The minimum and maximum recorded depths were 45 m and 550 m, respectively. The pip positions on the standard oscilloscope were recorded visually. This recording method was not satisfactory, but for future use the instrument could easily be modified to incorporate a larger oscilloscope with continuous photographic recording. Use of the relatively high carrier frequency of 440 MHz (compared with the more customary frequency of about 35 MHz) allows the use of smaller antennas and results in better resolution of the bedrock surface.

University of Colorado 1969 Summer Field Season in East Baffin Island

For the second year running, the University of Colorado's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) and associated Departments (Biology, Geology, Geography and Anthropology) carried out a multidisciplinary research project in the region of Broughton Island, east Baffin Island (c 67°30'N). During the 1968 summer, the late glacial chronology and uplift at the head of Quajon and Narpaing fiords had been studied. An Austrian storage gauge was installed to estimate winter precipitation. Twelve individuals were involved in the 1969 summer program - this included 3 faculty members, 4 graduate students, 4 undergraduates and Mr. K. Dudley, author and teacher (Toronto). The programs were as follows: Late glacial chronology and recent crustal movements .... Late glacial chronology and recent crustal movements in the Broughton Is. area .... Glaciology and climatology .... Archaeology .... Aquatic biology .... Plant ecology .... Plans for the 1970 summer. The main base of operations for 1970 will be Narpaing Fiord. An intensive program will be undertaken in the glacierized and non-glacierized corrie basins, involving their heat and water balances as well as their glacial histories. Postglacial uplift and late glacial chronology of the fiord will be studied and a reconnaissance survey made of Okoa Bay and Nedlukseak Fiord. The "neoglacial" history of the mountain ice caps and glaciers lying seaward of the Penny Ice Cap will be studied and related to sea level changes.

The Grinnell and Terra Nivea Ice Caps, Baffin Island

AbstractThe Grinnell and Terra Nivea Ice Caps are the southernmost in eastern North America. The Grinnell Ice Cap reaches an altitude of 870 m. (2854 ft.). The general tendency is for slight retreat, but one large glacier is advancing. The equilibrium line is considerably lower than on the Penny Ice Cap to the north. Both firn and superimposed ice are important in the economy.

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953: Part III: Seismic Sounding

AbstractFirn and ice thickness measurements were carried out by seismic refraction and reflection methods on a flat col of the highland snowfields of the Penny Ice Cap and on a medium-sized valley glacier (Highway Glacier). The longitudinal wave velocities were found to vary from some 1000 m./sec. (3280 ft./sec.) in firn to 3810 m.,/sec. (12,500 ft./sec.) in ice and approximately 6000 m.% sec. (20,000 ft./sec.) in the bedrock (gneiss). The thickness of firn and ice at the firn col was found to be 254 m. (834 ft.). On Highway Glacier some 80 reflections were evaluated, giving position, dip and strike of the bedrock surface. A longitudinal profile of Highway Glacier from the junction of three main tributary glaciers to the tongue is given; the ice thickness slowly decreases. At the junction, the bedrock is 400 m. (1310 ft.) deep, there is no deep basin as might be expected from the surface features. The mean slope of the glacier surface is about 3° of arc and of the bed about 1°.

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin ISland, 1953. Part IV: The Flow of Highway Glacier

AbstractThe horizontal and vertical motions of eight points on the surface of Highway Glacier, Baffin Island are reported. The average horizontal speed below the lowest tributary glacier is 56 metres/year. The major part of this motion arises from the glacier sliding on its bed. The mean shear stress on the bed is practically constant and equal to about 0.9 bars, but it is much smaller beneath the retreating tongue. A measure of the retreat in the lower part of the glacier is obtained from the difference between the ice discharge and the net ablation.

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953

Part I: A Description of the Penny Ice Cap, its Accumulation and Ablation

AbstractThe Penny Ice Cap on the Cumberland Peninsula of Baffin Island, N.W.T., Canada, was studied during the summer of 1953. This ice cap has an area of some 5900 sq. km. and rests on a 2000 m. high mountain range. It has ten major outflowing glaciers, three of which reach the sea in fjords. The progress of snow accumulation and ablation and the net annual loss or gain of water at various altitudes on the ice cap are recorded. The firn line is at about 1550 m. and the outflowing glaciers are noticeably retreating.

Part I: A Description of the Penny Ice Cap, its Accumulation and Ablation

Abstract The Penny Ice Cap on the Cumberland Peninsula of Baffin Island, N.W.T., Canada, was studied during the summer of 1953. This ice cap has an area of some 5900 sq. km. and rests on a 2000 m. high mountain range. It has ten major outflowing glaciers, three of which reach the sea in fjords. The progress of snow accumulation and ablation and the net annual loss or gain of water at various altitudes on the ice cap are recorded. The firn line is at about 1550 m. and the outflowing glaciers are noticeably retreating.

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953

Studies in Glacier Physics on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, 1953: Part II: Portable Ice-Boring Equipment

AbstractThe construction and use of some portable ice-boring equipment are described. The total weight of equipment for boring to a depth of 20 m. is about 36 kg. The weight increases by 1 kg. for each extra metre of depth.

Baffin Island Expedition, 1953: A Preliminary Field Report

Contains description and brief summaries of results of the second Baffin Island Expedition of the Arctic Institute of North America, May-Sept. 1953. The 13-man party carried out a program in the Penny Highland region of Cumberland Peninsula, centering on Pangnirtung Pass. Glaciological work on the Penny Icecap and Highway Glacier included studies of glacier physics, seismic work, and meteorological observations on bedrock geology and structure are given. Corrie formation and the geomorphology of Pangnirtung Pass were studied. Specimens of local fauna were collected and biological studies of some species were made. Comparisons of the vegetation of Penny Highland and East and North Greenland were made through extensive plant collections. Eight peaks were climbed and their altitudes determined. A list of 17 new names approved by the Canadian Board on Geographical Names is appended.