Svalbard: Cold environments

What percentage of Svalbard is covered in glaciers?

60%

What country is Svalbard a part of?

Norway

How many island make up Svalbard ?

5

What is the main town called?

Longyearbyen

What are opportunities of development in Svalbard?

Mineral extraction, Energy developments, Fishing, Tourism

What is Svalbard rich in reserves in?

Coal

How many people are employed in coal mining in Svalbard?

300+

What is Svalbard main economic activity?

Coal mining

What is Norways only coal firing station located?

Longyearbyen power station

What is the most likely future spouse of energy in Svalbard?

Geothermal

What important plate margin is Svalbard located on?

The Mid-Atlantic ridge

What is another option for energy generation?

Carbon capture and storage

How does carbon capture and storage work?

This method involves capturing carbon dioxide and circulating this instead of water to generate electricity

What sea is south of Svalbard?

Barents Sea

How many species of fish are found in the Barents Sea?

More than 150 species of fish

Which 2 countries control and monitor the Barents Sea?

Russia and Norway

How many people visited Longyearbyen in 2011?

70 000 with 30,000 of them being cruise passengers

How many jobs does tourism provide?

300 jobs

Why do people visit Svalbard?

To explore the natural environment, hiking, kayaking and snow mobile safari’s. Phenomena such as the northern lights.

What are the challenges for development in Svalbard?

Extreme temperatures, Construction, Services and accessibility

What can temperatures fall below during the winter?

-30 degrees Celsius

Why is working in cold temperatures bad?

It can lead to frostbite.

What construction is taken place in Svalbard?

Building houses, roads, harbour facilities, mining operations.

What factors are bad for construction work?

Extreme temperatures, limited light, permafrost must be protected from melting

What is done to pipes to tackle the extreme conditions?

They are kept of the ground to prevent thawing of the permafrost and easy maintenance.

How many airports does Svalbard have?

There is one airport close to Longyearbyen

How many roads are present?

There is only 50km of road in Longyearbyen. There are no other roads to serve other communities.

What mode of transport is used?

Snowmobiles are popular especially in the winter.