 The development of polygonal patterned ground in a region of permafrost. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management. |
Because
permafrost is a significant component of many boreal regions, it must
be an important consideration when
carrying out development activities in the north. In order to explore
the relationship
between permafrost and human activity, these web pages seek to explore
key aspects of
permafrost and periglacial processes in the context of the proposed
Mackenzie Gas Project, a 1300 km natural gas pineline running through
the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is hoped that through this
exploration, the potential cost and benefits of such activites can be
better understood. |
| To begin, it is
important to understand the interrelationship between both permafrost
and periglacial processes and their environment. The
Permafrost &
Periglacial
Processes section will discuss not only the types, extent, and
causes of permafrost, it will also describe important periglacial
processes. This will build a solid foundation for discussing pipeline
construction and its potential impacts on the permafrost. The section Permafrost and Construction will provide information regarding both the chief concerns when building a pipeline system through permafrost regions, including ancillary buildings, and how those concerns may be minimized. For instance, the potential impact of frost heave on pipeline integrity will be discussed as will methods to reduce the threat. In order to provide a context for this discussion, the Mackenzie Gas Project will be used. The section Mackenzie Gas Project will provide a basic primer regarding the important aspects of the project. It will discuss such items as the proposed route for the pipeline, the fundamental steps for constructing the pipeline, and the types of additional facilities that will be needed. Finally, a Reading List is provided for those who wish to learn more. This list includes the key resources that were refered to and cited while building these web pages. Top of Page |