This map is a simplified version (1:25000) of Thomas Hamilton's glacial geology map of the Upper Kuparuk River region (Hamilton 2003), which provides detailed (1:63,360-scale) surficial-geologic mapping in the Dalton Highway area, from the Sagavanirktok to the Itkillik Rivers, in the west-central Philip Smith Mountains quadrangle. The map area extends from the northern flank of the Endicott Mountains into the Arctic Foothills province. The glacial history of of the region affects a wide variety oflandscape and ecosystem properties, including topographic variation, abundances of lakes, plant production, soil carbon, spectral reflectance, biodiversity, trace-gas fluxes and heat flux of these landscapes. Glacial deposits within the upper Kuparuk River region are assigned to Sagavanirktok (middle Pleistocene, about 780 - 125 kya), Itkillik I (late Pleistocene, abotu 120-150 kya) and Itkillik II (late Pleistocene, about 25-11.5 kya) glaciations of the central Brooks Range glacial succession (Hamilton 2003). The legend units are arranged approximately from oldest to youngest.
The surficial-geologic map from the Sagavanirktok to the Itkillik Rivers was selected by the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) for detailed (1:63,360-scale) mapping to document depositional relationships and the extent of surficial deposits near the Dalton Highway on the North Slope of Alaska. This map provides a comprehensive understanding of Northern Alaska glaciation. Detailed surficial mapping is an important first step in creating engineering-geologic maps to identify construction materials needed for maintenance and development of the infrastructure that connects and supports the North Slope oil fields.
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Alaska Geobotany Center
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
http://www.geobotany.org/
Funding for the geologic mapping and geochronologic dating performed for this project was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey STATEMAP Program under award number 03HQAG0055 and by the Alaska State Legislature. Geologic field investigations by: T.D. Hamilton with: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (1969-72); U.S. Geological Survey (1975-76); University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic & Alpine Research (1996-97); and Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (2001). Assisted by R.M. Thorson (1975-76) and D.S.P. Stevens (2001). Technical review by: R.A. Combellick and D.S. Kaufman. Digital cartography and map design by: Simone Montayne, E.E. Harris, and A.G. Sturmann. Edited by: Paula Davis and E.E. Harris
Geologic data used in the compilation was derived from the field maps and notes generated by this project as well as data from other sources as noted in the "Source_Information" section. Location data for geologic point coverages was acquired from hand held GPS units and compiled on paper field maps, air photos, and notebooks. A paper compilation map composed of all of the geologic information elements was scanned and digitized using a digitizing tablet. Spatial data attributes were attached to data objects using ArcInfo. Attributes were verified for consistency and completeness during the creation of the metadata.
Topology is present on appropriate polygon and line data tables; others are point data tables.
This data set includes coverages that contain information about geologic units, their ages, and field sample locations at 1:63,360 scale.
Location data and estimated position errors were manually entered into a spreadsheet. Sample numbers and locations with selected data were spatially registered and analyzed in ArcGIS software. Location data was determined visually using topographic maps at a scale of 1:63,360 and 1:50,000 (nominal) scale, color-infrared aerial photographs. See "Source_Information" section for horizontal positional accuracy of locations not measured by DGGS.
A value of estimated position error in meters was calculated by hand held GPS units and recorded for each sample location. Estimated position error calculated by the GPS units was not less than 3 meters and averaged approximately 6 meters. The GPS system suffers from calculation and geometric error. This error results from items such as error in satellite positions, mathematical error introduced by the formulas used by the GPS unit for calculating position, and errors caused by narrow satellite alignments. Estimated position error is a value determined by the GPS manufacturer for the calculation and geometric error as a whole. "Selective availability," a deliberate degradation of GPS data managed by the U.S. government that induces an additional error of approximately 100 meters to a GPS location, was not in effect during DGGS's 2001 field work.
A value of estimated position error in meters. Surficial geologic map data have a horizontal positional accuracy dependent on: 1) the 1:50,000-scale (nominal) aerial photographs on which it is based, with an estimated potential error due to a pen line width of approximately 0.001 being equivalent to approximately 1.5 meters on the ground; 2) the accuracy of the human zoom transfer scope operator in tracing the line work from acetate overlays to topographic base maps, with an estimated error due to a pen line width of approximately 0.001 being equivalent to approximately 1.5 meters on the ground; 3) the accuracy of the zoom transfer process itself, error magnitude highly variable and unknown but potentially large; 4) the digitizing RMS error of 0.003 inches (input coverage units), which equates to approximately 5 meters on the ground for a 1:63,360-scale map; and 5) the accuracy of the human operator digitizing the geologic from the topographic base maps, with an estimated error due to a pen line width of approximately 0.001 being equivalent to approximately 1.5 meters on the ground. The surficial field maps were digitized using a map tablet and cross-hair mouse. Map error is induced by: (1) transferring map data from base topography to a Mylar compilation map, with an estimated potential error due to a pen line width of approximately 0.001 being equivalent to approximately 1.5 meters on the ground; (2) the digitizing RMS error [24 control points on a regular grid have an average RMS error of 10.8 meters on the ground; individual control point error ranges from 4.3 to 21.2 meters on the ground]; and (3) the accuracy of the human operator digitizing the geologic line work from the topographic base map, with an estimated error due to a pen line width of approximately 0.001 being equivalent to approximately 1.5 meters on the ground. Total potential horizontal error for geologic map features is estimated to be approximately 100 meters.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
This publication was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
Data Compilation - Geologic information from relevant literature was used to plan traverses and help define geologic units.
Fieldwork- The data collected in this report is a summation of multiple summer field investigations, 1969-72, 1975-76, 1996-97, and 2001. Field notes and sediment samples from traverses, road cut investigations, and river exposures were collected throughout the quadrangle. Observations were recorded on 1:50,000 scale (nominal) color-infrared aerial photographs and 1:63,360 scale topographic base maps. Stations located using air photos and hand held GPS devices with location precision varying from +/-3 to 15 meters.
Laboratory data compilation- Laboratory analyses were performed on radiocarbon samples.
Geologic map compilation- The geologic map was compiled using field notes from fieldwork process step (above), analytical results from laboratory data compilation process step (above), and all known geologic data from previous work in quadrangle. Geologic map contacts were delineated by photo interpretation of 1:50,000-scale color-infrared aerial photographs onto clear acetate overlays. The contacts were transferred from the overlays onto paper USGS 1:63,360 topographic base maps using a zoom transfer scope, and the contacts were then digitized using ArcEdit. Line work was edited using ArcEdit, and polygon topology generated and unit designations assigned using ArcInfo and ArcEdit. ArcPlot was used to generate plot files using DGGS-standard symbology, and the Arc graphics files were converted into .eps files for export to Corel Draw for final cartographic assembly.
Metadata imported.
Metadata imported.
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Length of feature in internal units.
ESRI
Area of feature in internal units squared.
ESRI
Glacial Geology
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of latest Itkillik readvance
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of Itkillik Phase II
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of Itkillik Phase I
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of Sagavanirktok River, undifferentiated
Alaska Geobotany Center
Outwash of Itkillik readvance
Alaska Geobotany Center
Outwash of Itkillik Phase II
Alaska Geobotany Center
Outwash of Itkillik Phase I
Alaska Geobotany Center
Outwash of Sagavanirktok River
Alaska Geobotany Center
Undifferentiated river alluvium
Alaska Geobotany Center
Undifferentiated fan deposits
Alaska Geobotany Center
Undifferentiated lacustrine deposits
Alaska Geobotany Center
Undifferentitated colluvial deposits
Alaska Geobotany Center
Bedrock
Alaska Geobotany Center
Undifferentiated gravel and beach deposits
Alaska Geobotany Center
Ice contact deposits
Alaska Geobotany Center
Active kettles
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of Sagavanirktok River, late advance
Alaska Geobotany Center
Ice rich silt deposits and colluvial basins
Alaska Geobotany Center
Drift of Itkillik, undifferentiated
Alaska Geobotany Center
Bedrock with discontinuous cover
Alaska Geobotany Center
unit labels
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
radiocarbon sample location label
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
type of map symbol
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
morainal crest
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
arrow symbol indicating the endpoint of a meltwater drainage channel
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
arrow symbol indicating the direction of glacial flow across topographic divide
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
This field contains the rotation angle data that corresponds with each symbol class contained in the "SYMBOL" field of this table. Rotation angles are measured arithmetically. A value of 0 corresponds to an arrow pointing due east.
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
symbol type
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys and others (see reference attribute information)
morainal crest or meltwater drainage channel
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
direction of glacial flow across a topographic divide
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Alaska Geobotany Center
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
http://www.geobotany.org/
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Alaska Geobotany Center
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
http://www.geobotany.org/