3.1.2.4 Cold Environment - Svalbard Case Study Flashcards
Where is Svalbard located?
- in Scandinavia - a Norwegian territory in the Arctic Ocean and the most Northerly permanently inhabited group of islands in the world
- E of Greenland
What is Svalbard made up of?
made up of 5 major islands - largest is Spitzbergen
What climate does Svalbard experience?
much of Svalbard experiences a polar climate
What % of land in Svalbard is covered in glaciers?
60% of the land covered in glaciers
How does the climate change in Svalbard throughout the year?
temp and precipitation gradually increases in Summer months and then decreases again
What type of land does Svalbard have?
- rest of the land is tundra much of which is frozen
- no arable farming or trees due to cold temps
When does the sun set and rise in Svalbard?
the sun sets on the 25th October and doesn’t rise again until 8th March
What is the population of Svalbard and where do most of them live?
population of 2700 most living in main town of Longyearbyen
Are there more polar bears and registered snowmobiles than people in Svalbard?
more polar bears and registered snowmobiles than people
What are the main development opportunities in Svalbard?
- fishing
- mineral extraction (coal mining)
- tourism
- energy production
What % of all the Atlantic cod that ends up in the supermarkets around the world is from the Barents sea?
at least 70%
How many species are found in the Barents Sea?
apart from cod, there are an estimated 150 species of fish here e.g. herring
What are Svalbard’s waters important for?
the waters are extremely important breeding and nursery grounds for fish stocks and need to be protected from pollution
What is the Barents Sea?
the cold waters of the Barents Sea south of Svalbard are one of the richest fishing grounds in the world
What are the advantages of mineral extraction in Svalbard?
- Svalbard has rich reserves of coal (but controversial issue)
- Vital to economy as it is the main economic activity
- more than 300 people are employed in the mines and as support staff
How many people are employed in Svalbard in the mines and as support staff?
more than 300 people are employed in the mines and as support staff
What are the disadvantages of mineral extraction in Svalbard?
- environmental groups are against it as burning coal is a major source of greenhouse gases
- In recent years the industry has faced a decline due to lower world coal prices and some jobs have been lost
- in 2014 new mine opened near Svea - to gain access to new mine, a road had to be constructed over a glacier
- in recent years the industry has faced a decline due to lower world coal prices and some jobs have been lost
Why is Svalbard popular with tourists?
- because of the wildlife they have
- fantastic scenery including glaciated landscapes
- chance you may see Northern Lights
Name the types of energy production in Svalbard:
- geothermal energy
- carbon capture and storage
Carbon Capture and storage:
- capturing CO2 from burning coal and circulating this instead of water to generate electricity
- renewable energy
- reduces greenhouse gas effect and melting of snow, permafrost, glaciers etc.
How does Svalbard use geothermal energy?
- Svalbard is located close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate margin
- here the crust is thin so hot rocks are close to the surface
- the heat used from the ground can be used to generate electricity
How does Svalbard use geothermal energy?
- Svalbard is located close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate margin
- here the crust is thin so hot rocks are close to the surface
- the heat used from the ground can be used to generate electricity
Solifluction:
gradual processes in which a mass moves down a slope related to freeze-thaw activity
Solifluction:
gradual processes in which a mass moves down a slope related to freeze-thaw activity
