Activity 2.2 cryosphere- Dana Glacier, Sierra Nevada


Dana Glacier, Sierra Nevada: Sation ric046 (USGS, 1883; The Glacier Rephoto Project, 2013)


Dana Glacier, Sierra Nevada: October 30, 2024


    


    The Dana Glacier is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. Over the last century, the glacier has been shrinking due to the effects of global warming. The rapidly rising temperatures cause more rain than snow causing the glacier to melt slowly. This melting is intensified by the albedo effect, where exposed rock and dirt, darker than snow, absorb more sunlight, causing the glacier to melt even faster. The glacial meltwater that feeds into the rivers and streams diminishes as the glacier melts. This can lead to water shortages in populations that rely on freshwater resources like wildlife and human populations. This can also affect the agriculture in the region. This can affect agriculture because as the ice melts, the glacier can cause water pollution, changing the salinity and releasing minerals that the environment has never been exposed to, causing potential harm to agriculture. A positive feedback loop where the ice melts due to warming temperatures causes more ice to melt everywhere else. As the glaciers shrink, the large volume of ice loss adds to the hydrological cycle imbalance, reducing the glacier's ability to regulate water and heat flow. The more freshwater glacier ice melts, the more fresh water leaks into the ocean, which can alter ocean circulation patterns. These patterns are essential for determining the weather for different regions. Fresh water is less dense than salt water; when something is less dense, it will not sink as quickly, which causes ocean currents to move slower.  Even though the Dana glacier is such a small freshwater glacier compared to other glaciers like in Greenland, it still contributes to rising sea levels. Ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic will continue to melt as ocean waters continue to warm causing harm to many aquatic species to come to shore, species like sharks many sharks and predatory aquatic animals that are hungry because all of their food is either dying off or coming closer to the coast because the rising temperatures are too warm for them so they are coming to shore where it is cooler. More hungry sharks coming to the shore this summer should be a cause for concern.   


Hassan Basagic, www.hassanbasagic.com/projects/glacier-rephoto-project.

Glaciers of the American West, glaciers.us/glaciers.research.pdx.edu/Downloads.html.

Dana Glacier, Sierra Nevada. 2024, Google Earth. earth.google.com/web/search/Dana+Glacier,+Sierra+Nevada/@37.90014837,-119.21730746,3638.0819363a,1445.99618847d,35y,163.52294418h,59.99798835t,-0r/data=Cj4iJgokCVT1DjcZYUhAEcFldwCIX0hAGaZrI8qb.

National Ocean Service , oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_currents/05conveyor1.html#:~:text=However%2C%20ocean%20currents%20also%20flow,is%20known%20as%20thermohaline%20Calvin College openURL resolvercirculation.

Calvin College openURL resolver





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Activity 3.1 – Human Population

#1- More Developed- Region- East Asia Country- Japan Birth Rate- 6 Death Rate- 13 Population Growth Rate (rate of natural increase)- -0.7 Population (millions) mid-2024- 123.8 Infant Mortality Rate- 1.8 Total Fertility Rate- 1.2 Life Expectancy at Birth- Male 81, Female 87 GNI per Capita, PPP- $52,640 Medical Doctors per 10,000 Population Total- 26.1 Total Health Spending per Capita- $4,347 Explanation- Japan has a birth rate of 6 births per 1,000 people and a death rate of 13 per 1,000, leading to a declining population. The fertility rate is 1.2, which is insufficient for population replacement. Despite a low infant mortality rate of 1.8, the overall population growth rate is negative. Life expectancy is high, at 81 years for men and 87 years for women. There are 26.1 medical doctors per 10,000 in the population showing access to healthcare. Japan's GNI is $52,640, indicating an advanced economy and developed healthcare system.    #2- Less Developed- Region- South Asia Count...
Read more

Activity 3.2.3.1 Solar Power and Energy Policy

  1. Exploratory Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading. ( What research evidence supports _________? Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the reading. Relate this to what you see in other resources and prior activities for stronger scores.) ) In the NPR article How Solar Grew in Georgia Despite Lack of Mandates on Renewable Energy the authors Hsu and Kelly (2019) explain how Georgia became a leader in solar energy without having laws that require renewable energy. They explain that the growth came mainly from companies like Georgia Power, which decided to invest heavily in solar energy. These companies saw the benefits of solar power, including saving money and reducing their environmental impact. Georgia’s sunny climate and the availability of land made it a good place for large solar farms. Even though there were no strict rules forcing solar energy use, the article shows that the state’s solar growth was possible because of private sector investmen...
Read more

Activity 4.2 Environmental Policy Frameworks

Frame Type Davis & Lewicki (2003) Bryan (2003) Vincent (2009) Identity / Values Identity: Who am I in this conflict? What are my beliefs and values? Cultural context: Shared beliefs, traditions, and ways of life shape perceptions. Frames rooted in community identity and historical context; local vs. outsider perspectives. Characterization How parties perceive each other, often in terms of blame or trust. Demographic: Background factors (class, race, age, etc.) influence perspective. Community members and external stakeholders often stereotype each other’s roles and motives. Conflict Management Attitudes toward resolving disagreement (e.g., collaboration vs. confrontation). Political: Decision-making power and authority in managing conflict. Competing governance perspectives (federal vs. local control); lack of collaborative framing. Risk / Threat How parties define and prioritize environmental and social risks. Ecological: Objective vs. perceived environmental dangers. Risk framed ...
Read more