Surficial geology investigations in Wellesley basin and Nisling Range, southwest Yukon.

Results of surficial geology investigations in Wellesley basin and the Nisling Range can be summarized into four main highlights, which have implications for exploration, development and infrastructure in the region: 1) in contrast to previous glacial-limit mapping for the St. Elias Mountains lobe, no evidence for the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene pre-Reid glacial limits was found in the study area; 2) placer potential was identified along the Reid glacial limit where a significant drainage diversion occurred for Grayling Creek; 3) widespread permafrost was encountered in the study area including near-continuous veneers of sheet-wash; and 4) a monitoring program was initiated at a recently active landslide which has potential to develop into a catastrophic failure that could damage the White River bridge on the Alaska Highway.

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Additional Info

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Last Updated April 17, 2026, 17:34 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 17:34 (UTC)
contact_email eservices@gov.yk.ca
contact_person {"en": "Yukon Geological Survey", "fr": "Yukon Geological Survey"}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection federated
open_canada_date_published 2011-04-04 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["natural-hazards", "permafrost", "placer-potential", "ygs-import", "ygs-import-20250711", "ygs-publications", "yukon-geological-survey"], "fr-t-en": ["dangers naturels", "pergélisol", "potentiel de placement", "importation d'ygs", "ygs-import-20250711", "publications de l'YGS", "enquête géologique du yukon"]}
open_canada_subject ["science_and_technology"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr
update_frequency unknown