Restless Earth - The Alps

Question 1

What plates cause the Alps?

Answer 1

African plate pusing against Eurasian plate

Question 2

What countries does the Alps contain?

Answer 2

• Italy
• France
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Slovenia

Question 3

What is the Alps’ highest peak?

Answer 3

Mont Blanc (4810m)

Question 4

What are the land uses of the Alps?

Answer 4

• Tourism
• Farming
• Hydro-Electric Power
• Forestry

Question 5

What are the benefits of tourism in the Alps?

Answer 5

All year round:

Skiing/snowboarding in winter

Lakes, scenery, walking, sports in summer

Question 6

What are the benefits of farming in the Alps?

Answer 6

• South-facing slopes where it’s sunny and warm
• Cattle graze in summer
• Cattle return to shed on the valley floor

Question 7

What are the benefits of HEP in the Alps?

Answer 7

• Steep slopes, lots of rain and melting glaciers makes fast flowing rivers
• Narrow valleys are easy to dam
• 56% of Switzerland’s energy comes from the Grande Dixence Dam

Question 8

What are the benefits of forestry in the Alps?

Answer 8

• Coniferous trees cover many slopes
• Wood is a plentiful resource as a building material and a fuel

Question 9

What are the problems with tourism in the Alps?

Answer 9

• Winters are warming up so less snow
• More people are skiing, this damages vegetation and increases the risk of soil erosion

Question 10

What are the problems with farming in the Alps?

Answer 10

• Farmers buy in feed to keep animals on the valley floor
• Cable cars are used to transport milk to the valley floor