As part of our Polar TREC orientation, we have taken a number of field trips around Fairbanks. We've visited the University of Alaska large animal research station, U of A Museum of the North, BP world championship ice carving competition, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory permafrost tunnel and the Alyeska Pipeline.
Musk Ox at University of Alaska Large Animal Research Station
Musk Ox! The University has a large research program to study these unique creatures. Believe it or not, these creatures may hold a key to the efficient production of bio-fuels. Musk oxen live on very poor food sources, yet they survive in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Scientists at the research station are studying how the animals digest the poor quality food and convert it into energy. The small organisms in the digestive tracts of these magnificent beasts may be useful for the processing of bio-fuels.
Tim meets a Musk Ox at University of Alaska Large Animal Research Station.
Qiviut- Musk Ox wool at University of Alaska Large Animal Research Station
Following a visit to the Musk ox, we learned about the similarities between Caribou and Reindeer. The research station has a heard of both.
Caribou at University of Alaska Large Animal Research Station
Caribou nose covered in snow
Reindeer at University of Alaska large animal research facility
After dinner on Wednesday, several of us went to see the single block competition in the BP World Championship ice carving competition. In contrast to the corn mazes that are popular in the fall, I found my way through an ice maze, slid on ice slides and was amazed at the craftsmanship displayed in the ice sculptures.
Ice sculpture at World Championships of Ice Carving.
A ice cold ride on an ice snow machine. World Championships of Ice Carving.
In the 1960's the US Army Corps of Engineers drilled the Permafrost tunnel near Fox AK. Studying the permafrost in this tunnel has been important for proper engineering necessary to build safe roads and buildings on permafrost ground. In addition to the ice structures numerous bones of mammoth, bison and other ice age animals can be seen throughout the tunnel.
15,000 year old watervapor from the permafrost tunnel deposits as hoar frost at the permafrost tunnel enterance
Looking down the CRREL permafrost tunnel
Tim at the entrance to the CRREL permafrost tunnel
On the way back to Fairbanks from the permafrost tunnel, we stopped to see the Alyeska pipeline. Oil from the north slope of Alaska is pumped from Prudhoe Bay south to Valdez through this artery.
The Alyeska Pipeline
In dramatic contrast to the solar panels on the roof of my house, I posed for this picture in an unusual role "supporting" fossil fuels.
Tim in an unusual role of supporting fossil fuels.
Tomorrow is my last day of training... the topic of the day... Survival training! Stay Warm