cold enviroments: alaska

what materials are extracted in alaska ? (4)

coal

gold

cooper

silver

zinc

how many people are employed from alaska’s energy resources ?

100,000

where and how is the oil transported from ?

from prudhoe bay in the north to valdez by the trans- alaska pipeline

how many people are employed by the fishing industry in alaska?

80000

how much does the fishing industry make for the economy in alaska ?

$8 billion

how many tourists visit alaska every year?

2 million

what do the winter temperatures drop to in northern alaska ?

-30 c

what is permafrost?

ground that remains permanently frozen

what challenges does permafrost create ?

buildings and infrastructure are difficult to build

how does the trans-alaska pipeline minimise environmental impact ?

it passes below rivers

why is the pipeline raised and insulated ?

so it can slide in the event of an earthquake

to retain heat and prevent it from melting the permafrost

how does the pipeline prevent oil waste?

the flow of oil will automatically stop if there’s a leak

when was the antarctic treaty signed ?

1959

why was the antarctic treaty signed ?

to prevent economic development

scientific research

control tourism and disturbance