Killaq - Thaw Hole

Indigenous Knowledge

Killaq ᑭᓪᓚᖅ '
a hole formed in the ice where it had melted right through; usually where itisiuraq had formed (plural form is killait)' (North/South Qikiqaaluk, Inuit Siku Atlas)

Killak ᑭᓪᓚᒃ 
‘ᓯᑯᒥᑦ ᐃᒪ ᑰᓕᐅᓕᕌᖓᑦ (ᐊᑕᐅᓯ). Sikumit ima kuuliuliraangat (atausi). A single drainage channel or hole that drains straight through.’ (Mittimatalik, North Qikiqtaaluk, Sikumiut Sea Ice Terminology Booklet, 2022, p. 129)

Aukaaniq
‘Uvinfaqsrami tualu sigulu autaliqmata aukaaniqsuugaik. Aukaanit nuyaanaguurut imaagusualuit inuit tupmimata aukaanim sagani. In the spring on the land-fast ice and pack ice when they begin to thaw, melt holes form. The melt holes are dangerous as people may get wet when they step near the melt holes.' (Seward Peninsula Inupiaq, Weyapuk Jr. & Krupnik 2012: 23)

Western Knowledge

Thaw Holes ‘Vertical holes in sea ice formed when surface puddles melt through to the underlying water.’ (WMO)

Profile photo credit: Inuit Siku Atlas