On the Submarine Geomorphology Along the East Coast of Baffin Island
A reconnaissance survey was made of the submarine geomorphology along the east coast of Baffin Island using an echo sounder. The survey focused on: (1) the continental slope, (2) the continental shelf, and (3) the fiords. The depth contours on the continental slope are roughly parallel to the coastl...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1971
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e71-020 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e71-020 |
| Summary: | A reconnaissance survey was made of the submarine geomorphology along the east coast of Baffin Island using an echo sounder. The survey focused on: (1) the continental slope, (2) the continental shelf, and (3) the fiords. The depth contours on the continental slope are roughly parallel to the coastline. The overall steepness of the slope is typically 2–3°, with the steeper sections near the top. Small irregularities of unknown origin are commonly found in the slope profiles.Transverse troughs with depths of almost 900 m are the most distinct features of the 30–50 km-wide continental shelf. The larger channels are associated with major fiord–valley systems on the island. Ridges, interpreted as lateral moraines, extend along the trough margins. Marginal channels commonly found along glaciated coasts appear to be absent from this section of the Baffin Island coast, but subbottom profiles are not yet available.The fiords of east Baffin Island show the typical fiord characteristics and reach a maximum depth of 900 m. The deepest part is usually below the highest mountains along the fiord. All fiords continue into offshore channels of varying depth.Many significant changes to the bathymetric map of the west side of Baffin Bay have been made. This is partly due to the survey plan and partly to the greatly improved plotting charts which were used. |
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