Supervised by:

David Didier (Regular member)

Co-supervised by:

Guillaume Marie (Collaborating member)

Research project description

Coastal hazard assessment in Ausuittuq, ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ Nunavut

IntroductionThe community of Grise Fiord is located at the base of west-facing mountainsides at low elevation on a mixed sand and gravel beach terrace. Affected by metoceanic conditions such as waves and tides, and locally constrained by topography, the Grise Fiord coastline is highly sensitive as its dynamic state is determined in part by sea ice conditions. Community members and the Iviq Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA) have recently raised the issue of coastal vulnerability as a top priority in the context of climate change. Finally, little research has been done on Canadian Arctic coastlines and their coastal dynamics. A lack of empirical and perceptual information from local populations on hydrodynamic and geomorphological factors of the coasts becomes an important gap to fill for a thoughtful future management of these coasts. ObjectivesThe primary objective is to assess areas at risk of erosion and flooding through a combination of participatory mapping and numerical and empirical hazard modelling. Specific objectives are: To determine multi-temporal geomorphic changes in the coastline; To quantify the hydrodynamic factors that generate hazards; The creation of a participatory and collaborative mapping method with the local population for the characterization of coastal hazards. Study sitesThe study site is the community of Ausuittuq in the Qikiqqtaaluk region. This hamlet of 129 people (2016) was developed following the relocation of eight Inuit family members from Nunavik in the early 1950s. Located on Ellesmere Island, on the shores of Jones Sound, Aussuituq is the northernmost village in Nunavut. The community is now settled on a mixed beach with a sand to boulder grading. The community is restricted to the base of west-facing slopes at very low elevation above sea level. The average freeze-up period is historically around September 24. However, during the year 2021, in early November, Jones Sound had some open water. Impacts from wave breaking and high water levels on the coast are expected to increase during the open water season in response to the decline in the period of sea ice cover. Material and methodsA differential analysis of Digital Elevation Models (DTM) will be produced to account for and to visualize sediment displacements on the coast. The DTMs will be acquired by drone RTK to meet the objective of quantifying the hydrodynamic factors that generate coastal hazards. Different sensors (RBRs and Buoy spotter) will be deployed to allow the accumulation of fundamental data for the analysis of water levels. Expected resultsThe expected results are firstly an analysis of the lateral mobility of the coast and its historical evolution. A statistical analysis of the different hydrodynamic agents (waves, tides and current) will be performed to define the statistical levels of storms and recurrence of these events. A topobathymetric model of the coast will be performed to allow numerical modelling. Overall, several maps of hazards, their evolution and spatial distribution will be produced.

Research Site Coordinates