Cold Climate, Canyons and Karst Along the Canol Road Corridor, Mackenzie Mountains, NWT

Abstract

Geomorphic landscapes along a transect from the Plains of Abraham 90 km inside the Mackenzie Mountains eastwards to the edge of the Mackenzie Valley are exceptionally rich in their variety of forms, processes and causes. They are linked together by a similarly rich physical history of sedimentation, diagenesis and tectonic deformation in the bedrocks, of glacier advances and retreats across them at the cold arid limits of Quaternary glacierization, and by the historical construction of the Canol Road. The distinctive landforms include (1) never glaciated dolomite plateaus dominated by periglacial processes but exhibiting some karst drainage today; (2) pedimentation and karst polje development linked to the limits of Wisconsinan glacial penetration: inside the limits (3) active and relict river canyons with vigorous mass wasting; (4) limestone pavements and a solution breccia landscape that is unique; (5) a late glacial spillway chopped into many pieces of different size, form and function by post-glacial processes. This transect is worthy of adoption as a national park and promotion for UNESCO World Heritage status.