Glaciation Case studies Flashcards
What is the case study for a retreating glacier?
South Cascade Glacier, USA
How long has it been monitored for?
Over 40 years
What data was collected?
Mass balance (glacier budget)
Air temperature
On stream runoff
What is the main cause of it retreating?
Global warming
Case study for tourism in an alpine area?
Chamonix, France
What attracts visitors to the area?
6 ski areas
Bike tracks
Hiking trails (350km)
Alpine museum
Social impacts of tourism in Chamonix:
Town is easy to access via motorways/roads
Lots of jobs created - young people stay in the area
Locals benefit from better healthcare & public transport
Confllict between different groups
Traditional way of life under pressure
Economic impacts of tourism in Chamonix:
Jobs changed from farming to tourism
Tourism makes a lot of money
Shops developed
Many seasonal workers (roughly 2500)
Shops/Cafes aimed at tourists and therefore expensive
Environmental impacts of tourism in Chamonix
Better management of the environment
More traffic = pollution
Decline in farming
On average, how many visitors does Chamonix get in a day?
100,000 in summer and 60,000 in winter
What happened in Chamonix in 1999
An avalanche
What management strategies have been put into place in Chamonix?
Trees planted to reduce avalanche risk Maintaining footpaths Preserving the natural environment Renovating historic buildings Environmentally friendly transport services
