From sea to land: characterization and shoreline analysis of an Arctic paraglacial coastal system undergoing forced regression, Arviat, Nunavut

Abstract

This study assesses the form, materials, and evolution of a paraglacial Arctic coastline undergoing forced regression. It is based on the analysis of field and remote-sensing data within the municipal boundary of Arviat, Nunavut, western Hudson Bay. Arviat is part of an extensive emergent glacial and marine sedimentary plain. Discrete reaches of the municipal foreshore and backshore are characterized by form and material. Analysis of historical shoreline change confirmed that shoreline advance was more prevalent than retreat within the study area between 1960 and 2011. However, shoreline retreat was also observed despite forced regression conditions, particularly around the east-facing portion of the headland. The principle forcing agent for shoreline change is interpreted as forced regression, but coastal dynamics are also playing a role in shoreline evolution. This study contributes to the understanding of coastal evolution in a forced regression environment and the characterization of an understudied Canadian Arctic coastal environment.