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Just what exactly are 'Eskers'?
photo copyright Noelle Tufts
| Seven to eight thousand years ago – the last of the great glaciers disappeared from the Canadian Arctic mainland, leaving in its trail a barrenland of bedrock scoured by the tremendous ice weight. Also left behind during the ice melting process were a variety of unique glacial features known as drumlins, outwash plains – and eskers. |
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photo copyright Glen Grambo
| Eskers wind across the Arctic landscape for sometimes up to 100 miles in length. As time progressed, these eskers, often consisting of a sand or gravel base, became oasis of life: a mini-forest of trees and shrubs offering a variety of nesting birdlife, and perfect den conditions for wolves, fox, & sic-sic. Since permafrost is deeper in comparison to the surrounding rolling tundra plains trees too can take root and animals can dig to den. |
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photo copyright Glen Grambo
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Permafrost is found deeper in the sandy loam of eskers, thus allowing a protected oasis of old-growth boreal forest to take root. These mini-forests provide excellent roost and shelter for a variety of nesting birds and migratory Arctic animals and are excellent areas for hiking. |
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| Archaeological evidence of human habitation are present as nomadic natives once used the eskers for shelter, firewood and hunting, as they still do to this day. |  |
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photo copyright Glen Grambo
| During the Arctic autumn period beginning in mid August through mid-September, the eskers become a riot of colours as the dwarf, bearberry cranberry and crowberry change to bright crismon, as does the dwarf birch & willow. For a short period, eskers become a true a garden of delicate beauty. |
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photo copyright Steve Maka
photo copyright Maxwell Finkelstein
| Duirng the summer and autumn periods, esker systems offer wonderful hiking opportunities for adventurers and explorers. |
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Other links to eskers:
Eskers of Southwestern Nova Scotia
The Canadian Encyclopedia - esker
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