ENGAGE
Seasonal Terrestrial Ice--Rivers & Lakes
Besides glaciers, other terrestrial surface ice includes seasonal ice on lakes and rivers. The thickness of ice and the time of year at which lakes and rivers freeze and thaw is also changing rapidly due to the accelerated affects of climate change. These affects are in turn connected to other affects in the ecosystem and cultures connected to those places. Because, Everything is Connected.
Besides glaciers, other terrestrial surface ice includes seasonal ice on lakes and rivers. The thickness of ice and the time of year at which lakes and rivers freeze and thaw is also changing rapidly due to the accelerated affects of climate change. These affects are in turn connected to other affects in the ecosystem and cultures connected to those places. Because, Everything is Connected.
They Say that Breaking Up is Hard to Do.
One sure way to get a hundred years worth of valuable ice data is to have annual high stakes gambling on the time for an annual river ice break-up. Since 1917, Alaskans have placed their bets for when the Tanana River would break up at Nenana. Over $10 million has been paid out in the last 92 years.
EXPLORE
YouTube
Captured by regular folks with video cameras, these three YouTube videos give you an idea of what three different annual river ice break-ups are all about.
Check out one or all.
Do the Math
Analyze the breakup log for dates and times of the Nenana Ice Classic for the Tanana River annual breakup. Students could use this data to look for statistical trends in river breakup dates. Maybe one of them will get the science and math of it and make good!
EXPLAIN
YouTube
Captured by regular folks with video cameras, these three YouTube videos give you an idea of what three different annual river ice break-ups are all about.
Check out one or all.
Do the Math
Analyze the breakup log for dates and times of the Nenana Ice Classic for the Tanana River annual breakup. Students could use this data to look for statistical trends in river breakup dates. Maybe one of them will get the science and math of it and make good!
EXPLAIN
- What is the earliest break-up date?
- What is the latest break-up date?
- What is the most common break-up date?
- What is the most common time of day?
EXTEND
- Try making and posting graphs using the Nenana Ice Classic data.
Helpful Hint: With the help of USGS, you can monitor Daily Streamflow Conditions around the state.
EXPLORE SOME MORE....
Fire and Ice
We've discussed the pesky positive feedback problem associated with melting permafrost and methane. And as most any prankster with a Bic lighter can tell you, it's flammable! Now go to YouTube and check out what happens when you give grown-ups a lighter and send them out on a frozen lake.
YouTube
Check out one or all of these YouTube videos relating to the relationship between lakes and methane. Some are pro and some are not.
Teachers' Domain
In this TD video we'll learn how students across Alaska are engaged in relevant and useful scientific measurements. They are helping to track local climate change in their region by measuring heat flux in lake ice across Alaska.
Students Measure Changes in Lake Ice and Snow
EXPLORE SOME MORE....
Fire and Ice
We've discussed the pesky positive feedback problem associated with melting permafrost and methane. And as most any prankster with a Bic lighter can tell you, it's flammable! Now go to YouTube and check out what happens when you give grown-ups a lighter and send them out on a frozen lake.
YouTube
Check out one or all of these YouTube videos relating to the relationship between lakes and methane. Some are pro and some are not.
- Methane flare from a lake in Fairbanks, Alaska
- Burning Methane from a Frozen Lake
- Burping Lakes
- Melting Permafrost Accelerating Global Warming
Teachers' Domain
In this TD video we'll learn how students across Alaska are engaged in relevant and useful scientific measurements. They are helping to track local climate change in their region by measuring heat flux in lake ice across Alaska.
Students Measure Changes in Lake Ice and SnowEXPLAIN
- Why is lake ice important in regulating climate?
- What is the relationship between lakes, ice and methane?
- Why is lake ice and snow a good indicator of climate change?
- What are some of the benefits of having students gather data?
EXTEND
- What other geoscience programs engage students doing real science?
EVALUATE
- What is the utility of any of these resources in your, or your students' learning?
