GL 6

Question 1

What does GLOF stand for, what is it

Answer 1

Glacial lake outburst flood.
Lake flows over moraine

Question 2

Triggers of GLOFS

Answer 2

Wave generation:
Glacier calving, icefall, avalanches, rapid input of meltwater, seismic activity
Dam failure:
Large lake volume, low point in dam wall, melting of buried ice in moraine structure, seismic activity

Question 3

How may climate change impact GLOFs

Answer 3

Increase meltwater, calving, icefall, melting of buried ice

Question 4

LAKE LOWERING
Where is Bhutan?

Answer 4

Mountainous, undeveloped area in eastern Himalayas

Question 5

LAKE LOWERING
What Glacial lakes is Bhutan threatened by?

Answer 5

25 potentially dangerous
Lake Thorthormi

Question 6

LAKE LOWERING
What would happen if a GLOF happened in Bhutan

Answer 6

53million cubic meters of water released
362 people impacted
Fertile ground submerged
Three hydro power projects destroyed

Question 7

LAKE LOWERING
How do Glacial meltwaters benefit people in Bhutan

Answer 7

Irrigation, drinking water, hydroelectricity

Question 8

LAKE LOWERING
How many people were killed in 1994 Lugge Tsho GLOF. What was the economic impacts of this

Answer 8

24
Caused millions of dollars in damage

Question 9

LAKE LOWERING
What is the aim of lake lowering

Answer 9

Reduce volume of lake

Question 10

LAKE LOWERING
What are the benefits of lake lowering

Answer 10

Reduces risk of GLOF
employs 350 workers, 5x higher wage
Employ herdsmen

Question 11

LAKE LOWERING
What factors impact lake lowering in Bhutan

Answer 11

9 day trek - remote
lack of healthcare - 3 died
equipment - work done manually
extreme weather means work can only be done 3-4 months a year

Question 12

LAKE LOWERING
How does Bhutan overcome difficulties

Answer 12

Use local mules - investment in local herdsmen

Question 13

LAKE LOWERING
Can Lake lowering always be done?

Answer 13

No - Sikkam, North East India - 2023
Over 100 people missing
Intense monsoonal rain
Lack of funding, money is spent elsewhere

Question 14

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
What is a reservoir
What are artificial reservoirs made from

Answer 14

Large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply
Artificial reservoirs are made from dams

Question 15

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
Arguments for construction of artificial reservoirs

Answer 15

Water supple and security
Hydroelectricity
Flood control
Economic benefits

Question 16

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
Arguments against construction of artificial reservoirs

Answer 16

Environmental impact
Ruins landscape (AoNB)
Culture and heritage
High costs and long term viability
Erosion and accumulation of sediment

Question 17

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
Where is the Elan Valley
When was the reservoir built?

Answer 17

Wales
1893 and 1904

Question 18

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
What does the Elan Valley reservoir do

Answer 18

Supplies water to Birmingham (aquifers)
Welsh water -> seven Trent water

Question 19

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
Why was the Elan valley chosen for reservoirs

Answer 19

High levels of rainfall

Question 20

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
What are the negatives of Elan valley reservoir

Answer 20

Over 100 people were relocated
Buildings and agricultural lands flooded

Question 21

CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS
What are the positives of Elan valley reservoir

Answer 21

Reliable, clean drinking water to Birmingham
Tourism
Environmental protection
Hydroelectricity

Question 22

EXTRACTION OF SANDS AND GRAVEL
Why are sands and gravels quarried

Answer 22

Construction materials - Roads, concrete blocks, pipes…
Water filtration
Glass making
Icy roads in winter

Question 23

EXTRACTION OF SANDS AND GRAVEL
Where in Shropshire is being quarried

Answer 23

Wood Lane, Ellesmere, Shropshire

Question 24

EXTRACTION OF SANDS AND GRAVEL
What are the negatives of quarrying

Answer 24

Destroys environment and habitats, long term and short term
Destroys breeding ground for 180 species of birds
HGVs travel on small rural roads - road accidents and noise

Question 25

EXTRACTION OF SANDS AND GRAVEL What are the positives of quarrying

Answer 25

Reduces reliance on imports from abroad 250,000 tons of material over 8 years. Provides low-skill jobs

Question 26

DEGRADATION OF PERMAFROST What human activities cause the melting of permafrost?

Answer 26

Buildings and infrastructure - heating Roads - friction from wheels, removal of vegetation, dark surfaces

Question 27

DEGRADATION OF PERMAFROST What are two impacts of melting of permafrost

Answer 27

Subside of buildings - movement of foundations Damage to infrastructure - Costing $35million per year in Alaska

Question 28

OIL EXTRACTION AND TRANSPORTATION What is the Trans-Alaska pipeline. How much did it cost to construct?

Answer 28

Above-ground pipeline that transports oil across Alaska. Cost $8 billion

Question 29

DEGRADATION OF PERMAFROST What is two problems that was faced during the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline. How was this overcame

Answer 29

Oil is warm, so would thaw the permafrost. Pipeline is built up to 3m above ground. Natural disasters Pipeline is built with sleepers that allow for movement

Question 30

What is anthropogenic climate change

Answer 30

Climate change caused by human factors

Question 31

What is artic amplification

Answer 31

Artic warms 2x as fast, due to climate change, as the rest of the world

Question 32

Why is Permafrost a carbon sink

Answer 32

Methane is contained within, due to the anaerobic respiration of decomposers