Cold Environments Flashcards
What is the largest town in Svalbard?
Longyearbyen
What is the largest island in Svalbard?
Spitzbergen
What is the average temperature in Svalbard?
In jan, -28 degrees, august and July can reach up to 5 degrees (Celsius)
Why is it so cold in polar regions?
- the sunlight has to travel further to reach polar regions, so intensity is reduced
- the light has to travel through the atmosphere
How many km of road are there in Svalbard?
50km
How are airways modified to fit with cold environments? (1)
-painted white to reflect sunlight so permafrost doesn’t melt
What does it mean if there is a low albedo?
Less light reflected
What does it mean if there is a high albedo?
More light reflected
What does the albedo effect refer to?
How much light is reflected
How are roads/transport modified to fit with cold environments? (2)
-most people use snowmobiles
-roads are built on gravel that stop heat transfer , so the permafrost won’t melt. They are also cheap and easy to maintain
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How are services modified to fit with cold environments? (2)
- pipes must be aboveground, as to not melt the permafrost and for easy maintenance.
- pipes are built in utilidors (utility corridors) that are made of wood, so they insulate heat
How is construction modified to fit with cold environments? (2)
- houses have steep roofs so snow slides off
- houses have triple glazing for insulation so they don’t melt the permafrost and keep warm inside
What are the local opportunities of developing cold environments? (6)
- Increased job prospect (44,800 people employed in oil)
- every direct oil and gas job generates another 40 jobs
- 90% of the state revenue comes from oil
- increased demand for housing, helps boost construction industry
- no taxation allows living standards to increase
- investements in the future mean future Alaskans will benefit whether they’re directly involved or not
What are the international opportunities of developing cold environments? (4)
- Attracts skilled workers to Alaska as there is no income tax
- Alaska is placed on the map because of investments from companies like shell or BP
- Alaska is seen to be a world leader in oil exploration, their knowledge has attracted lots of attention from other countries wishing to make money from oil
- companies that make transport / pipes / equipment
What are the local challenges of developing cold environments?
- oil is being extracted in a national park, an area protected by law
- citizens don’t pay state tax
What are the international challenges of developing cold environments?
- oil is a non-renewable, finite source of energy
- emissions from fossil fuels cause climate change
Where was the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA
Why did the Exxon Valdez oil spill happen?
The captain was drunk, and the ship ran aground on a reef
When was the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
24th of March 1989
How many years later were peop,e still clearing up after the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
25 years
What disease did some fishermen get from the oil spill?
Autoimmune disease
How many jobs did the tourism industry lose after the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
20,000
What kind of animals died in the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
Otters, seagulls, killer whales, bald eagles,
What is the population of Svalbard?
2,700
