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CGF3M - 5.1 Spatial Significance of Avalanche Protection Structures in Glacier National Park

This document discusses a spatial significance analysis of avalanche protection structures along a highway connecting two cities in British Columbia, Canada. It identifies the study area as being within a mountainous region prone to avalanches. Natural features like forests provide some protection from avalanches. Human features in the area include transportation infrastructure and towns that attract visitors. The document selects a location with a history of avalanches and temporary revegetation protection for a permanent snow shed, justifying this choice based on risk and the need to preserve natural integrity while protecting emergency routes. It concludes that British Columbia effectively prepares for and responds to avalanches.

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133 views3 pages

CGF3M - 5.1 Spatial Significance of Avalanche Protection Structures in Glacier National Park

This document discusses a spatial significance analysis of avalanche protection structures along a highway connecting two cities in British Columbia, Canada. It identifies the study area as being within a mountainous region prone to avalanches. Natural features like forests provide some protection from avalanches. Human features in the area include transportation infrastructure and towns that attract visitors. The document selects a location with a history of avalanches and temporary revegetation protection for a permanent snow shed, justifying this choice based on risk and the need to preserve natural integrity while protecting emergency routes. It concludes that British Columbia effectively prepares for and responds to avalanches.

Uploaded by

Ilamas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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U5A1: Spatial Significance of Avalanche Protection Structures in Glacier National Park

My ArcGIS Avalanche Map Link:


https://onedu.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=ac25a437603c42cd9c2f
45d2cad80c51

Spatial Significance Analysis:


Fill out the five steps of a spatial significance analysis for your study area.

STEP 1:​ ​Interpret the features in your ArcGIS map and​ identify the extent of the location you
are studying. Use specific vocabulary that you have learned that accurately defines the area
of interest in one concise sentence. Then narrow your description to the exact location where
you identified an avalanche risk worthy of a protective structure

This satellite image depicts the various methods of avalanche protection structures built
across the highway that connects Revelstoke and Golden, British Columbia in North America.

STEP 2:​ ​Interpret the features in your ArcGIS map and ​identify natural
features/processes/landscapes that influence the risk of avalanches or represent evidence of
avalanche activity. Tips: focus on the features that define the area or topic being studied.

These cities are located within the Rockies mountain range which include some of the largest
mountains in the continent. Various natural features, processes, and landscapes are built or
naturally found along the highway connecting the two cities such as revegetated forests and
earthen mounds. These structures are notably found within the corridors in which avalanches
are most common and may exist due to human interference.

STEP 3:​ ​Interpret the features in your ArcGIS map and ​identify human features/activity that
are present within the entire study area, and especially at your chosen location (the spatial
distribution of human activity).
Tips: Focus on human features that define the area such as towns, transportation networks,
and recreational facilities such as ski resorts, hiking trails, etc.

The various towns, ski resorts, and other tourist destinations attract millions of individuals
each year, many of which are continually at risk of the hydrologic processes such as
avalanches and subsequent flooding. Various human features are built to protect
transportation systems and towns from these hazards -- most notably, the snow sheds on
Highway 1 connecting the two cities.
STEP 4:​ Analyse the natural features and human activities of your chosen location and justify
why this location is unique and at risk of experiencing avalanches. In your analysis, suggest a
type of permanent structure that could be built at your chosen location to protect people.
Explain why this structure would be the best solution.

Given that there is a visible history of avalanche activity at this location and revegetation
methods are currently active, I have chosen this location because revegetation serves as a
temporary blockade or support system for the highway. Overtime, avalanches may be able to
tear down the trees in its path and therefore a snow shed may be needed at this location.
Canadian national parks projects preserve the natural integrity of the parks and other types of
structures such as rows of fences will not only change the picture of the area but also
endanger and directly interact with the wildlife in the park.

STEP 5​: Explain how the location you chose for a permanent protective measure is spatially
significant when considering natural processes, hazards, and human activity. What about the
specific location you chose makes it the most important location along Highway 1 to build a
protective structure?

Snow sheds are permanent/long-term protective measures that will stop human transportation
routes from being obstructed by heavy snowfall. The location chosen has such a thin barrier
of trees protecting the road and could easily be swept away with the snow in just a few severe
avalanches.

STEP 6:​ Assess the permanent protective measure you have chosen to reduce the risk of a
disaster at your chosen location. Explain why this protective measure will adequately protect
the population while using the highway. Or, you may explain why it will not protect those who
use the highway. Justify your decision by including supporting details.

Snow sheds function as a protective barrier against heavy snowfall. These barriers block any
snow that would slide from the slope of a mountain from blocking the road as the road is
completely surrounded in a heavy cement wall which will not buckle under the heavy sliding
snow. Although the residents and their homes are not directly protected, emergency service
routes in addition to transportation services will not be severely impacted if this structure is
built in the case of a severe disaster.

STEP 7​: Does B.C. prepare for and respond to avalanches effectively? Justify your answer.

Yes. B.C. uses the least intrusive methods for avalanche prevention systems from not only
safeguarding the humans at-risk but also the ecosystems within the park. Snow sheds seem
to be built where there is no other solution to help keep emergency routes and transportation
methods from being blocked in the case of a large avalanche.

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