Alaska Flashcards
1
Q
Physical characteristics of Alaska
A
- Much of Alaska is covered by permafrost (ground which remains frozen through at least one summer melt season)
- Annual rainfall is low due to the cold conditions reducing evaporation
- Growing seasons are short and focussed during late spring and summer when the temperature is warmer, light levels higher and precipitation greater
- The soil is very poor due to a lack of decomposing material. Any dead organisms take a long time to decompose. Only the unfrozen active layer can support plant roots, restricting vegetation height
- Huge variation in climate between the North (average temperature 12.6oc) and south (average temperature 19.1oc)
2
Q
Animal adaptions (3)
A
- Animals such as the Musk Ox have adapted to have warm fur in order to keep warm during the cold winter
- Tundra wolves have short legs and small ears to conserve heat as well as big feet to move through the snow easily
- The highly seasonal climate has led to the snowshoe hare changing colour for camouflage
3
Q
Plant adaptions
A
- Vegetation is small due to lack of nutrients and plants like the bearberry bush also use this to stay out of the wind
- Caribou moss can become dormant through the winter months and grown during the summer
4
Q
What opportunities are in Alaska
A
- River, lake and sea fishing employs 78 500 people in Alaska, adding $6 billion to economy
- HEP plants have been built in the state, now has over 50 with more planned
- 2 million tourists are attracted to the region each year (60% on cruise ships)
- Gold mining has been present since late 1800’s but starting to shut down
- Oil industry in Alaska provides 100 000 jobs and generates $40 billion per year
5
Q
Challenges in Alaska
A
- Oil pipeline cost $8 billion to build due to need to lift it to prevent permafrost melt
- Many of the jobs in the fishing industry are only seasonal, reducing economic stability
- Many oil workers are economic migrants who spend little in the local economy
- Solifluction of soil occurs when active layer melts and ground flows downhill
- Cold conditions mean communities are isolated for months of the year
- Building is costly due to permafrost
- Oil spills such as EXXON Valdex spill in 1989 release millions of barrels of oil (1m in 1989)
6
Q
How can you conserve Alaska
A
- Homes are built on stilts to keep the warmth of the house away from the permafrost and hopefully keep the ground frozen as a result
- Trans-Alaska pipeline zig-zags across the state making it flexible so it can cope with ground movement. Also lifted off the ground to prevent melting and buried in places to allow for animal migrations
- Water, electricity and gas connections are put in utilidors (corridors above ground) as they would be frozen if underground
- Runways are painted white to reflect the sunlight and cause minimal warming to the ground below
- Awareness campaigns run to show the need for global assistance in reducing GHG emissions
- Roads are now built on thick gravel beds to insulate the permafrost beneath from the warming effective of the tarmac and vehicles
