|
HomeTopics...Us Vacation SpotsAlaskas Natural Wonders
Dispelling Alaska's Myths: The Climate and Natural WondersMany facets of Alaska, such as the weather, the change of seasons and the northern lights, have been the stuff of myths, but the facts about these natural wonders are even more interesting than the conjectures.
Alaska Climate: The Highs and LowsMany weather-related myths surround Alaska's climate. One of the most common is that summers in Alaska are cool. In fact, like much of the United States, Alaska has four seasons and weather records at both ends of the thermometer. Alaska's summers are warm with highs that can reach into the 90s. Ft. Yukon holds the all-time record with a sizzling 100°F temperature recorded in 1915.
Many believe that the far northern part of Alaska would be the coldest. Actually, the record for Alaska (and the entire U.S. for that matter) was set in 1971 at Prospect Creek in the northern interior: a bone-chilling -80 °F! When compared to high readings near 90 degrees, Alaska's temperature range is an astonishing 170 degrees.
The Aurora BorealisThe aurora borealis, or northern lights, are glimmering ribbons of color that flash across the northern sky and leave all who see it with a sense of wonder and a feeling of being touched by some mystical force. Native Alaskans believed that the souls of departed ancestors could be seen in the shimmering colored bands of the northern lights. Turn-of-the-century prospectors held the belief that the heavenly display was a reflection of the ultimate gold strike—the Mother Lode.
The lights themselves are created by electrically charged particles, drawn to Earth's atmosphere by the magnetic field of the North Pole. As the particles collide with the gases in Earth's atmosphere, they become illuminated, creating the colorful aurora borealis. Although the magnetic field that creates the lights is active all year long, the long daylight hours of summer make the lights difficult to see. The best time to view this spectacle is from August to April and the best Alaskan location for viewing is Barrow.
The Arctic CircleOf all the natural wonders of Alaska, the Arctic Circle and the northern lights are probably the best known and the most romanticized. However, while people can see the northern lights, the Arctic Circle is not something that's clearly visible.
The Arctic Circle is defined in three distinct ways:
But even this region, known as the Top of the World, has luxury accommodations. In Barrow, 330 miles inside the Arctic Circle, full service hotels with all the trappings overlook the vastness of the Arctic Ocean.
Alaska's Parks: Keepers of Natural TreasuresAlaska possesses a number of national parks that protect the natural treasures of the state and actively encourage their development. Denali National Park, with its six million acres, is the location of 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley. Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is North America's highest mountain. Denali National Park is also home to 37 species of animals and 153 species of birds. Connected to both Fairbanks and Anchorage by the George Parks Highway and the Alaska Railroad link, Denali National Park has been a favorite destination for both first time and repeat visitors to the area.
Glacier Bay National Park allows the traveler to experience both the natural beauty of the land and the diverse wildlife that inhabits it. Nowhere else is it possible to see whales, wolves, eagles and bears in the same short span of time. Other parks and preserves throughout the state also allow the vacationer to enjoy the wonders of nature and the animal kingdom in an unsullied and pristine environment.
The Temperate RainforestYou may be surprised to learn that Alaska is home to a very rare ecosystem: the temperate rainforest. The Alaskan rainforest contains some 22.5 million acres of ancient growth, including 1000-year-old trees, and a diverse mixture of wildlife. It is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Located in the Tongass and Chugach National Parks, this temperate rainforest captures both the wild nature of the primeval forest and a true sense of the value of our planet. Both forests have become featured locations of Alaskan tourism in recent years. Unlike most other states, Alaska does not have plants like poison ivy or poison oak.
Hot Springs in the NorthAnother apparent anomaly in the Alaskan landscape is the existence of hot springs; again, not something one would associate with our northernmost state. Located at Manley, Circle, and Chena, these bubbling mineral waters attract visitors who want to enjoy the benefits of the hot springs while watching the Northern Lights or, perhaps, after a day of dog sledding, skiing, or other winter adventures.
|
|
Related Products and Services
