2013 Map of Harrison Bay B-5 NW

About this map

The Arctic coastal plain of the North Slope appears as a dense, intricate network of thaw lakes and ponds in this early 21st-century USGS survey. This particular quadrant, located within the T 13 N T 12 N township boundary, showcases the unique thermokarst topography typical of the Alaskan tundra, where permafrost dynamics shape a landscape dominated more by water than by solid ground. The alignment of the water bodies suggests the prevailing environmental forces at work in this remote region. While devoid of permanent human settlements or structures, the map captures the precise hydrographic state of the land at a specific moment in time. The Public Land Survey System markers, such as the R 4 W R 3 W range line, provide the only geometric overlay on an otherwise fluid and organic wilderness, offering a essential reference for environmental researchers or those tracking changes in the northern landscape.