Journal Entry

Hello everyone, remember my thought experiment on why the foundation in my Barrow house was uneven? The reason is differential settling do to the permafrost. The ground here may look flat but in reality it is extremely bumpy and there are lots of shallow puddles and ponds. As a result, people have to build there houses on pilings or stilts. By raising the house the surface beneath it can still freeze and thaw each year. There are many types of houses in Barrow. Old and new. Here is the house I’m living in and a view of my street. Here are some buildings around town. What they all have in common is that they are on a raised foundation.

Comments

Fri, 07/25/2014 - 21:05

Peggy McNeal

Raised foundations in Longyearbyen as well. But no mosquitoes! How are the mosquitoes where you are?

Sat, 07/26/2014 - 20:53

Sian Proctor

Hi Peggy - I feel very fortunate to report that there have been no mosquitoes (yet!). It's been a cool summer and the breeze has been pretty constant. I hope it lasts another two weeks.