Permafrost active layer depth - Torngat Mountains

The Torngat National Park monitors the permafrost depth in the Ivitak wateshed. A temperature cable with 8 thermistors at depths from 0.5 to 7 m deep was installed in August 2010, and has been recording ground temperature at each depth at 8 hour intervals since that time. The site is a deep alluvial silt deposit near the mouth of the Ivitak / McCornick River, on the south shore of Nachvak Fiord. Temperatures for the first year or more are unusually warm, likely a result of warming caused by water jet drilling during installation. Temperatures down to 1.5 m deep show strong seasonal fluctuations, as expected in the active layer. Deeper temperatures are much more stable, and are apparently coldest at ~2 m depth, but it is not entirely clear that the site supports permafrost except possibly in a narrow lens from 2-3 m deep.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 22:08 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 22:08 (UTC)
contact_email darroch.whitaker@pc.gc.ca
contact_person {}
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open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2017-10-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Pergélisol", "profondeur de la couche active", "température du sol", "Ivitak", "Labrador"], "en": ["Permafrost", "active layer depth", "soil temperature", "Ivitak Cove", "Labrador"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Épaisseur de la couche active du pergélisol - Monts-Torngat
update_frequency P1Y