Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Glaciated Landscapes > Svalbard Case study > Flashcards

Svalbard Case study Flashcards

1
Q

What country do the Svalbard islands belong to?

A

Norway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What Ocean do they lie in?

A

The Arctic Ocean

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How people and polar bears live on the islands?

A

3000 people and 3500 polar bears.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does Svalbard mean? And why is this ironic?

A

‘Cold coasts’ - however compared to other areas at the same latitude, the climate there is relatively mild.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the largest settlement on the island?

A

Longyearbyen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do the average temperatures range from in winter to summer in Longyearbyen?

A

-14* in winter to 6* in summer, although it can fall as low as -40*.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What percentage of Svalbard is covered in ice?

A

60%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How many glaciers do the islands contain?

A

2000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What island has the third largest ice cap in the world?

A

Nordaustlandet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Much of the land is bare ground, what does this consist of?

A

Rock, screw, moraines and fluvial deposits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What percentage of the land is vegetated?

A

10%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is permafrost?

A

Where a layer of soil, sediment or rock below the ground surface remains almost permanently frozen?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a fragile environment?

A

An environment susceptible to change and easily damaged.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where does permafrost exist?

A

Almost everywhere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Th island contains no hone largest what area in Europe?

A

Wilderness area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are 3 human activities that pose a threat to the island’s wilderness?

A

Coal mining, scientific research and increasing tourism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In the past what were two major economic activities in the islands?

A

Whaling and trapping.

18
Q

Why has little mineral extraction, apart from coal mining, taken place in Svalbard?

A

Mining is difficult.

19
Q

Why is mining difficult? Explain four reasons.

A

The extreme cold.

The long hours of winter darkness.

Challenging sea conditions affecting transportation to overseas markets.

The remoteness of the mines themselves.

20
Q

When did the first Svalbard coal reach mainland Norway?

A

1899

21
Q

Where does most of the current coal mining take place and how far is this from Longyearbyen?

A

Sveagruva - 50km south-east of Longyearbyen.

22
Q

The Norwegian state-owned mining company Store-Norske employs how many of Svalbard’s workers?

A

A third of all workers.

23
Q

Why is the company facing economic and political difficulties?

A

Job losses and calls from environmentalists to end mining on Svalbard.

24
Q

Why would the end of mining be disastrous for the local community?

A

Job losses and because the extracted coal supplies all of Svalbard’s energy.

25
Q

Which countries all run permanent research stations on Svalbard?

A

Russia, Norway and Poland.

26
Q

What areas of study have been researched in Svalbard?

A

Marine ecosystems, geology and meteorology.

27
Q

What is a lot of current research about?

A

Analysing atmospheric changes that might be linked to climate change.

28
Q

What station is near to Longyearbyen?

A

SVALSAT.

29
Q

What do huge antennae-studded ‘golf balls’ collect data from?

A

Satellites orbiting the Earth.

30
Q

What does Svalbard’s high latitude allow?

A

Data to be collected quickly from passing satellites, which allows real-time modelling to take place.

31
Q

Scientific research faces fewer regulations than tourism or mining but does still result in environmental damage in what way?

A

Infrastructure - the construction of research stations and access roads.
Aesthetically displeasing.

32
Q

When did a new airport open in Longyearbyen and how did this affect tourism?

A

1975 - tourist numbers have grown significantly.

33
Q

How many people visited Longyearbyen in 2013?

A

70, 000

34
Q

How many of the 2013 tourists were ship passengers?

A

30,000

35
Q

What environmental aspects attract tourists to the islands?

A

Glaciers, fjords.

Polar bears, seals and walrus.

36
Q

What adventure activities are on offer to tourists?

A

Hiking, kayaking and snowmobile safaris.

37
Q

As a result of increased tourism what has Longyearbyen seen significant growth in?

A

Tourist facilities such as hotels, shops, restaurants and tour operators.

38
Q

Although tourism helps the local economy what problems does it bring?

A

Oil spills and waste discharge from shipping.

Air pollution from flights.

Stress on wildlife and the fragile environment.

39
Q

What act came into effect in 2002?

A

The Svalbard Environmental Protection Act to protect the natural environmental, it’s wilderness, flora,fauna and the island’s cultural heritage.

40
Q

How much of Svalbard is protected through national parks and nature reserves?

A

Two thirds.

Glaciated Landscapes (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions