THE SHELTER CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL-STYLED INUIT SNOW HOUSES

The shelter value of snow iglus at Resolute (74 degrees 41'N, 94 degre es 54'W) in the Canadian High Arctic was assessed. After a survey of s now conditions, construction sites were chosen and two iglus were buil t and furnished in a traditional way. A large iglu (4.1 m diameter) co ntained 72 blocks averaging 23.6 kg and had a surface area-to-volume r atio of 2.21:1. A smaller iglu (3.05 m in diameter) contained 46 block s averaging 28.2 kg and had a surface area-to-volume ratio of 1.73:1. The smaller iglu provided 75% of the large iglu's space for 76.5% of i ts mass. Snow hardness averaged 12 000 g . cm(-2), and the mean densit y of the snow was 397 kg . m(-3). The energy required to build and hea t each iglu was calculated from the snow characteristics, construction activities, and microclimate parameters measured during occupancy. He at flux was calculated for human bodies, kudliks (seal oil lamps), and geothermal sources at temperature differentials as high as 45 degrees C from ambient, for both the unlined large iglu and the small iglu, w hich was lined with caribou skins on the inside. The smaller iglu was more energy efficient, requiring the fat of one seal every 6.3 days fo r heating, while the larger iglu required the fat of one seal every 3. 7 days. The meat content of each seal would have sustained a family of four for the same time interval, and the resultant body heat would ha ve provided 8% to 14% of the total energy necessary to maintain comfor table temperatures within the iglu.