Erosion near the Pauline Cove settlement on Herschel Island.. Wave action eats away at the permafrost causing the land above to collapse; a process known as slumping.

Erosion near the Pauline Cove settlement on Herschel Island.. Wave action eats away at the permafrost causing the land above to collapse; a process known as slumping or *block failure*.
Photo Credit: Submitted by Isla Myers-Smith/Team Shrub

Erosion alarm for Herschel Island in the High Arctic

Many stories in recent years have told how climate change is thawing permafrost in the Arctic. Stories also mention how a shorter ice season and stronger storms are also causing shore erosion throughout the Arctic.

This year scientists on Herschel Island just off the Yukon coast in the Beaufort Sea recently expressed concern about unusual and extensive erosion there.

Wayne Pollard is a professor at McGill University, Montreal, in the Department of Geography, and Director of McGill Arctic Research Stations. He says there should however be some context  given to this recent concern expressed about the state of erosion on Herschel Island.

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Wayne Pollard (PhD) Director Mcgill University Arctic Research Stations
Wayne Pollard (PhD) Director Mcgill University Arctic Research Stations © supplied

Herschel Island has an important history and heritage as it was once a major centre of the whaling fleets. Indeed several historic buildings from the 1800’s remain, but have had to be moved back from the eroding shore around Pauline Cove to protect them.

Unlike most other islands, Herschel is not a truly solid structure supported by a rocky base. Rather is a giant sediment deposit pushed up from the ocean floor by an ancient glacier much like a bulldozer would push a mound of dirt in front of it.

Herschel Island, approx 107 sq km. lies only 5 km off the Yukon Coast.
Herschel Island, approx 107 sq km. lies only 5 km off the Yukon Coast. © Google maps

The island consists now largely of this icy permafrost sediment with a relatively thin layer of soil on top of what is a relatively low-lying island. It’s highest point is only 181 metres above sea-level.

Hersschel Island- the Pauling Cove area is on the top right *peninsula*
Hersschel Island- the Pauling Cove area is on the top right *peninsula* © Google earth
Area of high erosion expressed by scientists this year near Pauline Cove. Professor Pollard says the rest of island is not experiencing that same high level of erosion.
Area of high erosion expressed by scientists this year near Pauline Cove. Professor Pollard says the rest of island is not experiencing that same high level of erosion. © google earth

Professor Pollard notes that the ice content of the permafrost compared on the island in some places can be as much as 80-90 percent with only 10-20 per cent as soil/sediment.

Retrogressive thaw slump.High ground is permafrost and soil, slump is the soil only -whatls left without ice (water) content and support
2015: Retrogressive thaw slump.High ground is permafrost and soil, slump is the soil only -whatls left without ice (water) content and support. Pollard says there are between 90-110 active retrogressive thaw slumps in any given year © W H Pollard

Although the scientific group expressed concern over the rapid erosion this year, Professor Pollard notes that’s occurring only in one small and low-lying part of the island which is prone to erosion , while elsewhere erosion is occurring at a modest pace of around a half a metre per year.

Aerial view of ground ice thaw on Herschel Island. the island has a high percentage of ice supporting a lesser level of soil. When it thaws the water drains away leaving a a relatively small amount of soil.
Aerial view of ground ice thaw (thermokarst) retrogressive slump on Herschel Island. The island has a high percentage of ice supporting a lesser level of soil. When it thaws the water drains away leaving a a relatively small amount of soil. © W Pollard

Still, he estimates the island has lost approximately ten per cent of it’s size since the turn of the last century and that climate change is hastening changes to the Arctic.

He says Herschel Island is the “poster child” for the changes that are occurring in the Arctic hastened by climate change.

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