Innuitian Mountains
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| Innuitian Mountains | |
| Range | |
 British Empire Range, in the north of Tanquary Fiord
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| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Regions | Nunavut, Northwest Territories |
| Part of | Arctic Cordillera |
| Highest point | Barbeau Peak |
| - elevation | 2,616 m (8,583 ft) |
| - coordinates | |
| Geology | Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary |
| Orogeny | Innuitian |
| Period | Mesozoic |
The Innuitian Mountains are a mountain range in Canada's Arctic territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. They are part of the Arctic Cordillera and are largely unexplored, due to the hostile climate. They are named after the northern indigenous people, who live in the region. In some locations the Innuitian Mountains measure over 2,500 metres in height, and 1290 km in length. The highest point is Barbeau Peak at 2,616 metres (8,583 ft). There are no trees or wildlife in the Innuitian Mountains due to the harsh cold climate as well as being located north of the Arctic tree line.
The Innuitian Mountains consists of numerous smaller mountain ranges. Some of these are the British Empire Range, the Princess Margaret Range and the United States Range, which is the world's northernmost mountain range.
The Innuitian Mountains were first seen in 1882 by the explorer Adolphus Greely from Lake Hazen.
[edit] Geology
The Innuitian Mountains present form was shaped during the Innuitian orogeny in the middle of the Mesozoic era when the North American Plate moved northward. The Innuitian Mountains contain igneous and metamorphic rocks, but for the most part are composed of sedimentary rock. They are younger than the Appalachians, and so erosion has not yet rounded them significantly.
The Innuitian Mountains resemble the Appalachian Mountains in composition and contain similar types of minerals. The mineral resources have not been greatly exploited, due to the cost of developing such a remote region while cheaper alternatives are available elsewhere.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Clark, Bruce W. and Wallace, John K. Making Connections: Canada's Geography, 1999
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