SCANNET

Primary Contact
Dr. Michel Allard, professor
Centre d'études nordiques
Université Laval
Québec, Québec
G1V 0A6
Canada
Phone: 418 656-2131 ext. 5416
Fax: 418 656-2978
Email:

Description of Facility: The station is planned for summer 2010. The station will be a Permafrost Community Research Training Centre for community involvement linked to permafrost monitoring, as well as a data archive and relay centre, and a meeting place for the coordination of village relocation studies in relation to changes in permafrost. This station is operated by the CEN and will accommodate 3 to 4 researchers year-round. Climate stations of CEN SILA Network operate year-round on the site.

Laboratory: No
Wet Lab: No
Power: Regular commercial
Communications: No phone line yet.
Access: Through commercial flights.
Local Transportation: 4x4 trucks, snowmobiles, and ATVs are available for rent in the community but prior arrangements must be made. Helicopter services can be purchased from Nunavik Rotors and Whapchiwem Helicopters.
Fuel Availability: Must make prior arrangements.
Nearest Community: Salluit (0 km)
Nearest Medical Service: Health centre in Salluit and Hospital in Puvirnituq.
Licences, Permits: No permits required but the community must agree with the research conducted.
Availability: Year round
Cost: Rate packages are available, depending on the needs of the researchers.

Current Projects: This strategically important site lies near the entrance to Hudson Strait and is a major observatory site for CEN permafrost studies, in partnership with the municipality and other agencies. Studies at this site aim to assess the potential effects of climate change in the continuous permafrost zone. Automated thermistor cables are in place as well as 7 climatological stations, with a CEN storage facility for ATVs. Built on sensitive permafrost, the infrastructure of the village is also being monitored by CEN researchers in collaboration with the community, the Kativik Regional Government and higher levels of government. Over the last 6 years, permafrost, archeological and social research has been undertaken by CEN members who also use the climate data in conjunction with local human knowledge. Given its location, this site also offers considerable potential for marine studies.