The French Geographical Expedition to Thule, 1950-51: A Preliminary Report

Summarized results of author's expedition to northwest Greenland, July 1950-July 1951. With base at Siorapaluk, 125 mi north of Thule, winter sledge trips were made to collect demographic, economic and social data on the Eskimos. Author counted 302 Polar Eskimos in ten different settlements. Ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ARCTIC
Main Author: Malaurie, J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1955
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/66868
Description
Summary:Summarized results of author's expedition to northwest Greenland, July 1950-July 1951. With base at Siorapaluk, 125 mi north of Thule, winter sledge trips were made to collect demographic, economic and social data on the Eskimos. Author counted 302 Polar Eskimos in ten different settlements. Genealogies were traced. Birth and death rates are discussed; also effects on Eskimo society of contact with white men and possibility of successful integration. In spring, geomorphic expedition was made around Kane Basin. Most significant geomorphic factor appears to be extreme aridity. No intense wind erosion occurs. Glacial erosion was limited, and present frost action is weak. Water erosion in summer produces steep slopes which undergo parallel recession. Present processes seem insufficient to account for present landscape.