1956 Map of Umiat

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4 dominates this mid-century look at Alaska's North Slope, a landscape defined by the winding course of the Colville River. The survey captures a period of early resource exploration, highlighted by the Gubic Gas Field and the prominent Umiat Mountain. A complex network of waterways, including the Anaktuvuk River, Nanushuk River, and Itkillik River, cuts through the tundra, bordered by distinctive geological formations like Shivugak Bluff and Niakogon Buttes. This territory is navigated via an extensive system of Tractor Trails, providing a fascinating look at the logistical challenges of Arctic mapping. The intersection of the Umiat Principal Meridian and the Base Line serves as the foundational surveying point for this vast northern region.