Pingo - Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada
N 69° 23.970 W 133° 04.720
8W E 575435 N 7700093
A pingo, also called a hydrolaccolith, is a mound of earth with a core of ice found in the Arctic and subarctic regions, that can reach up to 70 meters in height and up to 600 meters in diameter.
Waymark Code: WMRW67
Location: Northwest Territories, Canada
Date Posted: 08/11/2016
Views: 4
Tuktoyaktuk in the Mackenzie Delta of the Northwest Territories in Canada has one of the highest concentrations of pingos. Pingo National Landmark protects eight of these features including the one these photos are taken from.
Another pingo in this vicinity, Ibyuk, is about 50 meters high and is the tallest pingo in Canada and the second tallest in the world. It is the world’s largest growing pingo, and continues to grow at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year. Ibyuk is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old. Other pingos in the landmark range in height from 5 to 36 meters and represent various stages of pingo development.
Pingos are formed as a result of what is called a “closed” system of unfrozen soil developing within an area of permanently frozen ground. Pingos usually grow a few centimeters per year, and the largest take decades or even centuries to form. Pingos eventually break down and collapse.
Winter is the best time to visit the pingos because permafrost is extremely difficult ground to cover when thawed and is intercepted by open water. When frozen the ground can be traversed by snowshoe or snowmachine, however, you're going to have to use your own power to climb as they are steep.
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Parking Coordinates: N 69° 23.999 W 133° 01.900
Access fee (In local currency): .00
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no
Public Transport available: no
Website reference: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.
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