Cryosphere hazards from the perspective of a State Agency Gabriel Wolken Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 3354 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707 Ph: 907.451.5018 Fax: 907.451.5050 email: [email protected]web: www.dggs.alaska.gov
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Cryosphere hazards from the perspective of a State Agency
Cryosphere hazards from the perspective of a State Agency. Gabriel Wolken Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 3354 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707 Ph: 907.451.5018 Fax: 907.451.5050 email: [email protected] web: www.dggs.alaska.gov. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Cryosphere hazards from the perspective of a State Agency
Gabriel WolkenAlaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
3354 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707Ph: 907.451.5018 Fax: 907.451.5050
Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 406/13/2011
State of Alaska Statute AS 41.08.020
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
“...determine the … potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations
and structures.”
What is a hazard?
Hazard: an exposure to a natural geophysical process that adversely affects people, property, or infrastructure
Risk: the likelihood of the hazard x its adverse consequence
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 5
Natural Processes Natural Hazards
Photo: N. Kinsman
Alaska and the Cryosphere
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 6
Alaska and the Cryosphere
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 7
Flooded permafrost cellar near the Wulik River, NW AlaskaR. Reger
Thermokarst and bike path in Fairbanks, AK
A. Gal
Ice Bridge across the Chena River, Fairbanks, AK
P. CarterAvalanche on the Richardson Highway
Alaska and the Cryosphere
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 8
•Flooding and erosion affects 184 out of 213, or 86 percent, of Alaska Native villages to some extent (US Government Accounting Office Report GAO-04-895T).•71 percent of Alaska coastal communities, or 80 out of 112, sit at or below 10 meters elevation.
Changes in Climate
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 9
Changes in climate can modify or intensify natural processes that lead to hazards
Changes in Coastal Processes
06/13/2011 Workshop on Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards 10
• Decreased sea ice extent and duration– Reduced shore protection