Final Assessment

The Arctic Circle would seem like an otherworldly planet to most people, with the sky and ground both bright white, and sometimes going days without seeing another living thing. But it can be more than just a barren, snow driven region with what seems like a permanent winter. The Tundra covering a majority of the Arctic Circle is abundant with water. But even with all this water, the soft, porous Earth stops pretty much anything from growing. The water does allow some wildlife to flourish. Animals in the Arctic Circle include: Fish such as trout and acrtic char, wolves, fox, caribou and muscox. Above the Tundra, the Arctic Circle becomes a frozen ocean with plenty of ice caps, which is frozen for 95% of the year. The best advantage to living in the Arctic Circle, just like the south of Antarctica, is being able to see the Northern lights almost year-round.

Landscape 1,000yrs. from now

What the Arctic Circle will be in 1k years is a major worry around the world. It is questioned whether global warming will melt the ice caps. humans are pouring out more carbon dioxide than the plants and oceans can absorb. If this does happen, the coastal cities surrounding them will flood and could potentially no longer exist. These cities are home to almost 10 million people, and would change the coastlines around the world. This isn't just a worry for humans, but animals alike. This being the home to many animals, they have adapted to their current environment. With global warming, it could put numerous animals into extinction. This of course, has a major effect in everything in our day to day life. Now, we aren't certain this isn't going to happen, but in 1,000 years we are sure the Arctic Circle isn't going to look exactly the same.

Landscape 10,000 years from now

I believe the Arctic Circle will be a much warmer place in 10k years. After global warming gets the best of this generally freezing environment, the remaining plants and animals will have adapted to this change. Since the temperature is so cold now, it will still be this way compared to most other places where humans live. A big positive that has people visiting the Arctic Circle year-round, the Northern Lights, will stay the same. Global warming does not have any effect on it.

Conclusion

Although very cold, the Arctic Circle is an amazing landscape that is truly unique. It would be a shame for Global Warming to do everything but completely demolish it.

Climate and Weather Phenomena

The Arctic Circle is thought of as being so cold,  nothing can survive there. Despite what people think, animals have adapted to the environment, and during the summer, agriculture even grows!

                                 This is a picture of a group of polar bears relaxing together.

The biggest Phenomenon in the Arctic Circle is whats called polarnight or midwinter darkness. This is when the night lasts more than 24hrs, and usually occurs around December 21. The opposite of this is the polarday or midnight sun. This of course, is when it is light out for more than 24 hrs. The Arctic Circle will see this around June. So, although the sun doesn't shine much during the winter, it shines on the entire region for part of the day March-September.

This is a picture of polarnight in the Arctic Circle. This pic was taken at 2 pm, and it is almost completely dark outside.

The climate is very cold in the Arctic Circle. If you don't like the cold, this isn't the place for you! During the winter, it can get as low as 20 degrees farenheight under zero up to 2 degrees abover zero on average. During the summer, it ranges from 10 degress farenheight to 30 degrees. So although it is very cold, it is possible to live there.

Here is the Arctic Circle during the summer, where agriculture is flourishing!

References:

http://www.athropolis.com/arctic-facts/fact-arctic-circle.htm

http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/knowledgesafety/ss/The-Arctic-Circle_6.htm

http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/knowledgesafety/ss/The-Arctic-Circle_6.htm

Weathering

The harsh temperatures affect the type of weathering a lot. Stone weathering usually occurs in warm arid environments, but it is possible even in the coldest temperatures. Stone weathering is only on two different types of rock in this specific area. They are olivine stone and talc veins. 

                                                Sub Zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.

Olivine stone has been known to weather rather quickly compared to other types of rock. But when it begins, the stone gradually turns a redish-brown color.

                              This is an image of an Olivine stone after it has begun weathering.

The second type of stone weathering is with the talc veins. Normally highly resistant towards natural weathering, but is the softest of all minerals.The only time when it is very prone to weathering is when criss-crossed by micro cracks that are penetrated by water. Once this happens, frost damage is seen. If frost damage does not happen, it may have carried salts  which can form crystallization. 

                                                 An image of Talc veins with weathering.

Did you know??? 

Olivine stone is very popular in being made into jewelry. Normally they are cut to fit into bracelets, and range from $20-$400!

Sources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/salt-crystallization.html

http://per-storemyr.net/2010/11/15/stone-weathering-at-the-westernmost-coast-of-norway/

Volcanoes in the Arctic

It's not the biggest out there, but the Arctic Circle is home to the northernmost active volcano on Earth! With an elevation of 7,470ft, is the Beerenberg volcano.

                                          Picture of the Beerenberg volcano on a sunny day



It has been very active between 1732 and 1985, with a recorded six eruptions! This is a subduction zone, which occurs when one tectonic plate moves under another and then sinks. This is known to pose the greatest risk for civilizations.

                               In this image, you can see the locations of 4 of the volcanic eruptions




When you see it in person, most people just think its a regular mountain. This is because it is a stratovolcano that is completely covered in glaciers.

                         Camping on this "mountain" might be the biggest mistake of your life!


Did you know???
  Scientists have found that a ridge below the north polar ice cap is full of volcanic activity! This has vents of superheated water, which could hold undiscovered species!


Sources:  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632130/volcano/302040/List-of-the-worlds-major-volcanoes

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/beerenberg

Geography of the Arctic

Hi there! Im  Zach Vodraska, a 20yr. old student at the University of Colorado. I am excited to be able to share my experiences in the Arctic Circle with you! I chose to talk about this area, because it is far from any experiences we face here in Colorado. It is one of the coldest places in the world, and  anything living must overcome the most extreme climate just to survive!