Inglefield Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inglefield Mountains |
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|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Canada |
| State/Province | Nunavut |
| Parent range | Arctic Cordillera |
The Inglefield Mountains are a mountain range found on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada. These mountains are mostly covered by huge sheets of ice called ice fields. Tall, rocky peaks called nunataks stick out from the ice, reaching about 1,500 meters (almost 5,000 feet) above the sea. Along the coast, you'll see steep, rocky cliffs. The Inglefield Mountains are part of a larger group of mountains in the Canadian Arctic called the Arctic Cordillera.
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Exploring the Inglefield Mountains
Where Are These Mountains?
The Inglefield Mountains are located in the southeastern part of Ellesmere Island, which is a very large island in Nunavut, Canada. This area is far north, in the Arctic.
Most of the mountains are covered by thick ice fields, which are like giant, flat glaciers. However, some rocky peaks, called nunataks, poke through the ice. These peaks are made of a type of rock called granite. They reach heights of about 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level. The edges of the mountains near the coast have steep, rocky cliffs.
Part of the Arctic Cordillera
The Inglefield Mountains are part of the Arctic Cordillera. This is a huge chain of mountains that stretches across the northeastern part of the Canadian Arctic. It includes many mountain ranges on islands like Ellesmere Island, Baffin Island, and Axel Heiberg Island.
Wildlife in the Inglefield Mountains
Surviving the Cold
It's very cold and harsh in the Inglefield Mountains, so not many animals or plants live there. The mountains are located north of the Arctic tree line. This means it's too cold for trees to grow. Because of the extreme weather, there haven't been many sightings of wildlife in this area.
Home to the Ivory Gull
Even though it's a tough place to live, the rocky peaks (nunataks) of the Inglefield Mountains are important for a special bird called the ivory gull. These birds are considered a "nationally vulnerable" species in Canada. This means their numbers are low, and they need protection to survive.
In the 1980s, studies showed that between 730 and 830 adult ivory gulls lived on the rock outcrops in the Inglefield Mountains. This area might be home to about one-third of all the ivory gulls in Canada. Protecting these mountains helps protect this unique bird species.
