Surficial Geologic Map of the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

Introduction

The surficial geologic map of the Noatak National Preserve (NNP) is a compilation that incorporates portions of four published USGS maps (Hamilton, 1980, 1981, 1984a,b), a USGS Open-File Report (Hamilton, 2003), and unpublished field mapping. It covers an area of about 28,700 km², and includes parts of eight 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The mapped area generally terminates at NNP boundaries, which generally follow the sharp divides that separate the Noatak drainage system from north-flowing drainages of the Alaskan North Slope and south-flowing tributaries to the Kobuk River. The mapping extends short distances beyond those boundaries where passes across divides were traversed by glaciers issuing from the Noatak drainage or by overflow waters from glacial lakes. Along the western edge of the map, where the NNP boundary is unrelated to topographic features, I have extended the mapping to the nearest natural boundary, the active channel of the Noatak River, and have mapped beyond that limit only in places where surficial deposits are essential for understanding regional geology.

First posted May 20, 2011