2020 Map of Barrow A-2 NW

About this map

Beaufort Sea waters dominate this coastal Arctic landscape, where a chain of barrier islands separates the open sea from the sheltered Elson Lagoon. These narrow landforms, including Cooper Island, Martin Island, and the Plover Islands, serve as the primary geological defense for the mainland. The coastline is defined by distinctive features such as the Kachiksuk Bluffs and Christie Point, which mark the transition into the complex network of wetlands and tundra to the south. Further inland, the terrain is characterized by expansive water bodies like Admiralty Bay and Reindeer Lake, illustrating the saturated and low-lying nature of the North Slope. This 2020 record captures the intricate relationship between the shoreline and the Sanigaruak Pass, providing a detailed look at the hydrology of a region where the boundary between land and water is constantly shifted by the elements.