Glaciation on the Arctic Slope of the Brooks Range, Northern Alaska

Abstract

Reconstructs glacial history of the area (approx. 68-69 30 N, 147-162 W) on the basis of observations during 1944-1953 of the nature and extent of glacial deposits in the central part of the Range between Shainin and Itkillik Lakes and in the southern part of the Foothills Province from the Shaviovik River west to Etivluk River. Distribution is mapped and characteristics described of deposits from six glaciations for which a tentative chronological sequence is established: Anaktuvuk and Sagavanirktok of Pre-Wisconsin age; Itkillik and Echooka of Early Wisonsin; Alapah Mountain of Late Wisconsin; and Fan Mountain of Recent age. Terrace deposits and Pleistone alluviations are mentioned.

Geology, Especially Geomorphology, of Northern Alaska

“…Other projects supported by NARL on geomorphology and glacial geology entirely or at least as a major part of a field project include, for example, Hamilton (1965Hamilton ( , 1969 on geomorphology and glacial geology in the Alatna River area of south-central Brooks Range; Porter (1966b) on the Pleistocene geology of Anaktuvuk Pass in the central Brooks Range; and Reed (1968) in northeastern Brooks Range. As our understanding of Pleistocene-Recent chronology of events has grown in North America, so too has our understanding of events in northern Alaska (Detterman et al 1958). Each of the above authors recognized events not previously recorded and each revised the correlation of glaciations and other events from those of previous workers in their areas.…”

Recent Recession and Thinning of Okpilak Glacier, Northeastern Alaska

“…These authors tentatively correlate the advances in the Romanzof Mountains with past glaciations on the Arctic Slope 60 to 270 miles to the west and southwest (Detterman 1953), (Detterman, Bowsher, and Dutro 1958). The most recent advance is the Fan Mountain glaciation (Detterman et al 1958, p. 57), whose deposits are differentiated from older, more extensive ones largely on the basis of their fresh unweathered character and their proximity to present glaciers or recently evacuated cirques.…”

Geology of the Lake Peters area, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska

“…Detterman ( 1953) recognized and described five glaciations. Detterman, Bowsher, and Dutro (1958) gave a more detailed account of glacial advances in three selected areas along the northern front of the central Brooks Range. In the eastern Brooks Range, Kunkle ( 1958), Keeler ( 1959), and Sable ( 1965) studied the glacial deposits in the Mount Michelson area.…”

“…In 1965 Holmes and Lewis tentatively correlated the Schrader Glaciation with the Itkillik Glaciation. Because recessional moraines are characteristic of the Itkillik Glaciation wherever it is recognized (Detterman and others, 1958, p. 51-53;Porter, 1962, p. 137, and and because the Itkillik Glaciation represents the last advance of ice beyond the mountain front, the Schrader Glaciation is best correlated with the Itkillik Glaciation of Detterman, Bowsher, and Dutro (1958) and the lower three substages of the Itkillik Glaciation of Porter (1964).…”

“…Holmes and Lewis (1961, p. 863) correlated the Peters Glaciation with the Alapah Mountain Glaciation. However, Holmes · and Lewis' table 4 ( 1965, p. B29) showed the Peters Glaciation to be equivalent to both the Alapah Mountain and Echooka River Glaciations of Detterman, Bowsher, and Dutro (1958) ' and to the later advances of the Itkillik Glaciation of Porter (1963Porter ( , 1964. The writer correlates the Peters Glaciation with the Echooka River Glaciation (or Anivik Lake of Porter, 1964).…”