In broken clusters of small sizes near the shore where they were grounded 

 prior to the formation of the sea ice. When lodged in ice over deep waters, 

 they exist singly and are larger in size, perhaps several hundred yards. 



Snow is distributed uniformly throughout this region. The snow cover 

 is estimated to be 6 to 8 inches with drifts of 12 to 18 inches. 



The boundary of the fast ice begins to recede in June. In early July- 

 large sections of the ice break away becoming part of the great pack. 

 Many sections of the coast are ice free in the latter part of the month, 

 and in early August all of the ice disappears. 



By lot Island to Sllesmere Island - Fast ice is formed in the indenta- 

 tions of the southern coast of Devon Island. Currents and tidal influences 

 cause the ice to move continuously in the north side of Lancaster Sound. 

 This breaks the ice and forces it into Baffin Bay. 



A half-mile belt of fast ice normally is found on the east coast of 

 Devon Island, from the southern side of Philpots Island to the entrance 

 of Lady Ann Strait where it narrows to the coast. Its surface is rela- 

 tively smooth except for a marginal zone in the northeast where ridges are 

 formed as a result oZ pressure from the north and northeast. The snow 

 layer is fairly uniform and corresponds to the snow layer found on the 

 ice to the south. 



Shore waters off Devon Island begin to freeze in October. Fast ice 

 is firmly established in November. It3 rate of growth and thickness is 

 comparable to that at Bylot Island. Breakup of the ice commences in the 

 latter part of June and is general by July. The coast is clear at the 

 end of July or early August. 



Lady Ann Strait is free of fast ice. Locally formed ice breaks as 

 the result of currents and pressure from Jones Sound and Baffin Bay. 

 The floes are smaller and their concentration varies with changes in the 

 passing meteorological pressure systems. 



Fast ice occurs on the southern coast of Coburg Island, enveloping 

 the island, and closing Glacier Strait. It continues northward along the 

 coast of Ellesraere Island into Smith Sound. With the exception of Glacier 

 Strait and the coastal indentations in the islands, the ice is rough and 

 has pressure ridges. It contains large quantities of polar ice, which 

 drift into this area through Smith Sound. The margin of the fast ice ex- 

 tends a few hundred yards to the east of Coburg Island, arcing toward 

 Smith Sound at a distance of 10 to 15 miles from shore. 



Sea and swell activity gradually breaks up the marginal zone of this 

 ice and forces its boundary westward. Accelerated breakup of the ice takes 

 place in July. The shore is free of ice by the early part of August. 



12 



