Earth Science 7-Fairbanks, Alaska
Elevation: 144 meters
Latitude: 64° 48' N
Longitude: 147° 52' W
Fairbanks is a Home Rule city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in mid-Alaska.
It is the 2nd largest city in Alaska, with city population of 35,252, while holding a metropolitan area population of 97,970. Fairbanks is also home of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the oldest college in Alaska.
Contents
Climate
Climate Zone
Dfc(subarctic)on the Koppen Climate Chart [2]
Temperature
| Jan. | Feb | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temp. (C˚) | -23.4 | -19.8 | -11.7 | -0.7 | 9.2 | 15.4 | 16.9 | 13.8 | 7.5 | -3.8 | -16.3 | -21.4 |
| Average. High (C˚) | -18.7 | -13.8 | -4.6 | 5.0 | 15.2 | 21.2 | 22.4 | 19.1 | 12.7 | 0.0 | -11.7 | -16.8 |
| Average Low (C˚) | -28.1 | -25.8 | -18.7 | -6.4 | 3.3 | 9.7 | 11.4 | 8.4 | 2.3 | -7.7 | -20.9 | -26.0 |
====Average Precipitation==== [3]
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Precipitation (inches) | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
Factors that Regulate the Climate
Fairbanks has a very high elevation, and the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. Fairbanks is very north, meaning it also has a high latitude. There are no major bodies of water to cool it, but there are high prevailing winds. With all of these factors combined, Fairbanks, Alaska has a very cold climate.
Pressure
Fairbanks and almost all of Alaska is in a constant high pressure system.
Similar Cities
Another city with roughly the same climate and temperatures is College, a small town just North- West of Fairbanks. It is one of the only cities as cold as Fairbanks.
Geology
Tectonic Plate Boundary Near Fairbanks
Fairbanks is located on the North American plate, and Fairbanks' nearest plate boundary is 628 kilometers away at the North American- Pacific plate. [5]
The boundary between the two plate is convergent, and the Pacific plate is sliding under(subduction) the North America, which is a main reason why there is a chain of volcanoes called the Ring of Fire. There is also a small area that is a transform boundary, causing the numerous earthquakes.
[6]
Rocks that Underlie Fairbanks
Fairbanks Alaska is built on top of many different types of rocks, mainly metamorphic rocks that have been under great pressure; this is because there is a chain of mountain north of Fairbanks called the Brooks Range. This mountain building causes these metamorphic rocks to form.
References
- ↑ http://www.maps-n-stats.com/us_ak_elevation.html
- ↑ http://www.uwmc.uwc.edu/geography/100/koppen_web/koppen_map.htm
- ↑ http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/united-states/alaska/fairbanks/
- ↑ http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/united-states/alaska/fairbanks/
- ↑ earth.google.com
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Plate
